Chances are, you’ve noticed that Knoxville, Tennessee middle schooler Keaton Jones went viral over the weekend after his mother posted a video of her son tearfully explaining the bullying he endures every day at school.
As the Washington Post reports, Keaton’s mother took the video after she had to pick him up from school when he was too afraid to go to lunch.
“Just out of curiosity, why do they bully? What’s the point of it?” Keaton can be seen saying in the video. “Why do you find joy in taking innocent people and finding a way to be mean to them? It’s not okay. They make fun of my nose. They call me ugly. They say I have no friends.”
This is Keaton Jones, he lives in Knoxville and he has a little something to say about bullying.pic.twitter.com/coyQxFp33V
— Everything TN (@Everything_TN) December 9, 2017
He continues, talking about the ways his bullies pour milk on him and put ham down his shirt during lunch.
After Keaton’s mother Kimberly posted the powerful photo to Facebook on Friday, it quickly went viral, receiving 15 million views within the first two days it was up. Celebrities including LeBron James, Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Evans (who sweetly invited Keaton to the premiere of The Avengers in Los Angeles), began speaking out in response to the video.
Stay strong, Keaton. Don’t let them make you turn cold. I promise it gets better. While those punks at your school are deciding what kind of people they want to be in this world, how would you and your mom like to come to the Avengers premiere in LA next year? https://t.co/s1QwCQ3toi
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) December 10, 2017
Damn right! Bullies are straight up wack, corny, cowards, chumps, etc, etc! Keaton keep your head up buddy and push forward! You’re the best https://t.co/pqDgay77l9
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 11, 2017
Keaton, this is so accurate. Why do people do this? I think your sooo cool Keaton! I wanna be your friend ( but srsly) ur freakin awesome https://t.co/LD7Q762bL9
— Millie Bobby Brown (@milliebbrown) December 9, 2017
Both Keaton’s mother and sister have said they’ve received so many messages of support that they have been unable to respond to every one. Meanwhile, things have taken a bit of a controversial turn after photos from his mother’s Facebook, in which she can be seen posing with a Confederate flag and reportedly using racist language.
Keaton Jones MOM is a next level racist who’s posted in many offensive and non remorseful comments towards black people, so how is she preaching about bullying when she herself is a bully lmao people are funny pic.twitter.com/bTnF7BFDGr
— Queen Mel (@BLVCKMATTERS) December 11, 2017
Several GoFundMe accounts claiming to be Kimberly Jones have also popped up in the wake of Keaton’s video, causing many to question their authenticity — and if they are real, the possibility that Jones’s mother is using the situation for financial gain. Many have also questioned why she filmed her son in such a vulnerable moment in the first place.
Regardless, what happened to Keaton is not okay — and his video represents only one powerful example of the pain (which is often overlooked by teachers and administrators) that thousands of kids endure at school on a daily basis.