Keaton Jones' video has gone viral, highlighting the seriousness of bullying
In a video featured on Mpumalanga News, shot in the car after a mother picked up her son from school because he was scared of being bullied, Keaton Jones of Knoxville, Tennessee, asks: “Just out of curiosity, why do they bully? What’s the point of it?”
“Why do they find joy in taking innocent people and finding a way to be mean to them?”
“It’s not OK!” he tells his mother through tears. “They make fun of my nose. They call me ugly. They say I have no friends. They poured milk on me and put ham on my clothes.”
READ MORE: WATCH: ‘Bully’ throws brick at boy’s head
He adds it is not just him, but others that are bullied by kids at school. “I don’t like that they do it to me and for sure don’t like that they do it to other people because 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. Stay strong I guess. It’s hard. It’ll probably get better one day.”
Keaton’s video has gone viral and attracted over 16 million views on Facebook. Celebrities are among the millions touched by it, and have tweeted him support.
Dr Phil tweeted: “Hey Keaton, bullies are the ones with the problem, not you,” while Donald Trump Jr wrote: “This boy is incredibly brave and the video really got to me.”
He offered to put up the family if they accepted an invitation to visit the Ultimate Fighting Championship headquarters in Las Vegas made by president Dana White after viewing the video.
Actress Patricia Arquette also tweeted support: “Keaton, you show here you have empathy,” and added: “That’s what’s going to make you an amazing man and friend.”
Justin Bieber, Mark Ruffalo, Katy Perry and Demi Lovato are among the other celebrities to have come forward to back Keaton. Here are some more:
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