Celebrities back boy who spoke of bullying in heartbreaking video
A Tennessee woman’s heartbreaking video of her tearful son recounting being bullied at middle school has prompted a wave of support from celebrities. Kimberly Jones said in a Facebook post 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. He said milk was poured on him and ham was put down his clothes.
“Just out of curiosity, why do they bully?” Keaton said. “What’s the point of it? Why do they find joy in taking innocent people and find a way to be mean to them? It’s not OK. People that are different don’t need to be criticised about it. It’s not their fault. If you are made fun of, just don’t let it bother you.”
The video has been viewed more than 22 million times on Facebook and has crossed over to Instagram, and drew the attention of Katy Perry, Victoria Beckham, Justin Bieber, Cardi B, Snoop Dogg, Chris Evans, Mark Hamill and other celebrities, many of whom made offers of riendship and gifts. A crowdsourcing page for Keaton’s future education raised more than $29,000.
“We all know how it feels to want to belong,” Jones said in her post, “but only a select few know how it really feels not to belong anywhere.”
Also on Twitter, Tennessee Titans player 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.
Country music star Kelsea Ballerini tweeted that the next time she comes home to her native Knoxville, she wants to be with Keaton to witness the bullies apologise.
Retired race car driver Dale Earnhardt Jr said on Twitter he wants Keaton to “add me to your long list of friends,” and Snoop Dogg said Keaton “has a friend for life”.