At an age when kids meet new people and make friends at school, Tennessee middle schooler, Keaton Jones is afraid to go to class or even go for lunch. Reason? Because Keaton was constantly bullied by other kids at school. Keaton’s mother, Kimberly recently posted a heart-wrenching video, where Keaton broke down in tears while narrating the pain of being bullied at school.
In the video, Keaton talks about how other kids poured milk on him during lunch, threw food on his clothes, and mocked him for being who he was. Why? What joy does anyone get by bullying someone? Even as kids, mocking or targeting someone is not okay.
Keaton’s mother Kimberly shared this message along with the video, “My kids are by no stretch perfect, and 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 has friends of mine tell me 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.”
© Twitter
Ever since the video surfaced, Keaton has found enormous support from across the world, with more and more people using the hashtag “standwithkeaton” to stand in solidarity with him. Especially our Hollywood actors and celebrities are going all out to support Keaton.
Captain America aka Chris Evans too tweeted in support of Keaton and invited him and his mother for the Avengers premiere in LA next year.
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) 10 December 2017
Captain America’s superhero comrade Hulk i.e. Mark Ruffalo too tweeted in his support and wrote, “Keaton, will you’ve my guest at the premiere of #InfinityWar too? I think you are about one of the collest kids I have ever seen! Can’t wait to meet you in person, pal. Forget those ignorant kids. One day, very soon, they are going to feel pretty stupid for this.”
Keaton, will you’ve my guest at the Premiere of #InfinityWar too? I think you are about one of the coolest kids I have ever seen! Can’t wait to meet you in person, pal. Forget those ignorant kids. One day, very soon, they are going to feel pretty stupid for this. https://t.co/BqJLxu25GN
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) 11 December 2017
It’s an incredible gesture from Evans and Ruffalo. They turned out to be superheroes in real life as well. Soon enough, other stars too started coming out in support of Keaton. Hailee Steinfeld posted this video and invited Keaton to the premiere of ‘Pitch Perfect 3’.
Hi @Lakyn_Jones, could you pass this message along to Keaton? â?¤ pic.twitter.com/3l8P4fKAqW
— Hailee Steinfeld (@HaileeSteinfeld) 10 December 2017
Hip Hop Cardi B also tweeted in support of Keaton.
I can’t get that boy Iï¸?n that video out my mind 😪I wish i can give him a hug and beat the shit out them kids that pick on him .I don’t care if they kids 👊ðŸ?½ðŸ‘ŠðŸ?½FUCK YOU !!
— iamcardib (@iamcardib) 10 December 2017
UFC President Dana White too tweeted in support of Keaton and said he wants to bring him Vegas and hang out at the UFC Headquarters.
Meet Keaton Jones a very smart little boy who is being bullied at school. This video is heartbreaking!! I want to bring Keaton to Vegas and hang out at UFC Headquarters. If anyone knows how i can reach the family please let me know. Thank u everyone pic.twitter.com/BR8c4ldDFc
— Dana White (@danawhite) 10 December 2017
Here’s how other celebrities reacted.
@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) 9 December 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) 9 December 2017
Let’s take care of this kid’s college tuition. The world’s dumped enough on his plate. Click and blast past the funding goal on this one, guys. Thank you. https://t.co/hLdgpaBINE
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) 10 December 2017
I #StandwithKeaton. Keaton baby, just know you’re not alone. There are so many people who come out of bullying so much stronger and you will be one of them!! God bless you sweetheart. https://t.co/LdCAy2lDHu
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) 11 December 2017
Say lil Man U gotta friend in me for life hit me on dm so we can chop it up love is the only way to beat hate 👊���
Listen to Justin Bieber’s heartfelt message on Instagram for #KeatonJones who was bullied. Keaton’s message has now gone viral bringing awareness across the world. #StandwithKeaton pic.twitter.com/3TvlKQfkc4
— Glitter Magazine (@glittermagazine) 11 December 2017
This broke my 💔 today. Please be kind to one another. #standwithkeaton https://t.co/8XBbFmnuc1
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) 10 December 2017
Despite being heartbroken and upset with bullying, Keaton tried to encourage others who were being bullied similarly. He said, “People that are different don’t need to be criticized about it. It’s not their fault. But if you are made fun of, just don’t let it bother you. Stay strong, I guess.”
We just want to know, what exactly are we trying our kids? That it’s fine to bully your classmates in the name of ‘fun’? Folks, bullying is NOT ok, not today, not as kids, never.