PHOTO: SCREENSHOT
Keaton Jones, just an ordinary young boy from Knoxville, Tennessee managed to do something really extraordinary.
On Friday, the middle-schooler was filmed by his mother Kimberly Jones shortly after she picked up Keaton from school because her son was too afraid to go to lunch. “Just out of curiosity, why do they bully?” cried Keaton in the video.
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The boy described having milk poured on him and being called ugly for the scars left on his head following a tumour operation. “They make fun of my nose. They call me ugly. They say I have no friends,” he shared.
Keaton continued, “What’s the point of it? Why do you find joy in taking innocent people and finding a way to be mean to them? It’s not okay. It’s not okay! People that are different don’t need to be criticised about it. It’s not their fault.”
In a message accompanying the video, his mother wrote, “My kids are by no stretch perfect, and at home, he’s like all boys but he’s very good at school.”
PHOTO: FACEBOOK/ KEATON JONESShe continued, “Talk to your kids. I’ve even had 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.”
Since then, the video has gone viral - within 24 hours the post had been viewed more than 10 million times and is closing in on 20 million.
Many celebrities have reached out to the young man too...
“Little buddy,” wrote Mark Ruffalo, “I was bullied when I was a kid. You are right #ItGetsBetter! You are my own personal super hero. Protect Yo Heart. You got a pal in the Hulk.”
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Chris Evans, on the other hand, just invited Keaton to next year’s Los Angeles premiere of Avengers: Infinity War. “Stay strong, Keaton,” tweeted Chris Evans. “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?
“Hey Keaton…I just wanted to say I think you are amazing…I would love for you to be my date to the Pitch Perfect 3 premiere on Tuesday,” Hailee Steinfeld said in a video posted on Twitter.
Others reaching out include Patrick Adams (Suits), Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), Kevin Jonas, Cardi B and loads more.
#KeatonJones, your curiosity and kindness will overcome this moment and bring you many better days to come. #StandWithKeaton https://t.co/8t4ojKLs72
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) December 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/halfadams/status/939626668641067008
https://twitter.com/ChrisEvans/status/939976020479938562
https://twitter.com/milliebbrown/status/939632746384838657
.@lakyn_jones Hey Keaton, bullies are the ones with the problems NOT you. Many are bullied at home and pass it on. Cowards always need an audience. Be strong! I’ll come walk the hall and eat lunch with you anytime. #IstandwithKeaton #Keatonstrong #KeatonJones
— Dr. Phil (@DrPhil) December 10, 2017
Hi @Lakyn_Jones, could you pass this message along to Keaton? ❤ pic.twitter.com/3l8P4fKAqW
— Hailee Steinfeld (@HaileeSteinfeld) December 10, 2017
Keaton jones you are a hero. This extremely raw and real moment has brought hope and truth to so many people. Be you and be forever fearless. Never give up. You are loved!
— kevin jonas (@kevinjonas) December 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/EvaLongoria/status/939955825354858496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fdeadline.com%2F2017%2F12%2Fkeaton-jones-chris-evans-mark-ruffalo-bullied-tennessee-facebook-video-1202223902%2F
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bchv-mkj9Uv/?taken-by=snoopdogg
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