Emotional video of bullied Tennessee boy prompts wave of support
Dec 10, 2017, 5:01 PM | Updated: Dec 11, 2017, 7:58 am
A Tennessee woman’s video of her son recounting being bullied at middle school has prompted a wave of support on social media, from athletes and entertainers to everyday users.
Kimberly Jones said in a Facebook post Friday she had just picked up her son, Keaton, from school because he was too afraid to go to lunch.
In the video, Keaton said other students call him ugly, make fun of his nose and tell him he has no friends. The boy said he has also been subject to physical bullying, when other kids would throw food at him at lunch.
“For the record, Keaton asked to do this AFTER he had he me pick him up AGAIN because he was afraid to go to lunch,” Kimberly said in the video’s description.
“My kids are by no stretch perfect, & at home, he’s as all boy as they come, but by all accounts he’s good at school. Talk to your kids. I’ve even had friends of mine tell me they’re kids were only nice to him to get him to mess with people.
“We all know how it feels to want to belong, but only a select few know how it really feels not to belong anywhere.”
The video had 18 million views as of Sunday and has been shared and reposted thousands of times.
The video has prompted wide-reaching support from people on social media.
On Twitter, Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker invited the Jones family to an upcoming game, while University of Tennessee wide receiver Tyler Byrd said he and several teammates plan to visit Keaton at school.
@DonteStallworth @Lakyn_Jones hopefully my video and the tweets that Keaton have been getting brings awareness to bullying and how serious it is in our school system pic.twitter.com/1Dujv3RxA5
— Delanie walker (@delaniewalker82) December 9, 2017
Country music star Kelsea Ballerini and retired race car driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. also wrote messages of support on Twitter.
This is heartbreaking. But the response of support for him is a beautiful thing. Add me to your long list of friends Keaton. https://t.co/NKasvdo00u
— Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) December 10, 2017
In a tweet, Keaton’s sister Lakyn praised everyone’s support and said Keaton is “doing good and loving the awareness.”
Seeing my brother’s face all over the internet and people giving him support is the most amazing feeling in the world ❤️
— Lakyn 🎄 (@Lakyn_Jones) December 9, 2017
A hashtag, #StandWithKeaton, was trending over the weekend with hundreds of thousands of supporters tweeting their support for the boy.
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
Hey, #KeatonJones – you have friends here at the UFC, buddy. Today and everyday. #StandWithKeaton @Lakyn_Jones | @DC_MMA @TWooodley @FelderPaul @SugaRashadEvans @KennyFlorian pic.twitter.com/ZxX0cY1bu7
— UFC (@ufc) December 10, 2017
Another Update: Keaton will have a P.O. box soon so everyone can write him to send love and support. Once i get that info I’ll be sure to pass it on to y’all. #RollTide #TideAgainstBullying #StandWithKeaton https://t.co/ND8Ihxu33R
— Alphonse Taylor (@SHANKK50) December 10, 2017
A GoFundMe account has raised more than $30,000 for Keaton and his family.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
