Sources connected with the former couple tell TMZ ... whenever Gabriel would read a story about Nahla that referred to her as "black," he would go off, insisting his baby was white. We're told Gabriel would tell Halle and others they should demand a "retraction" when such references were made regarding his daughter.
As TMZ previously reported, sources tell us Gabriel has called Halle the "N" word -- and one woman previously involved with him referred to him as a "borderline racist."
We have been unable to get in touch with Gabriel's reps for comment.