A video on social media has gone viral of a Tennessee woman’s son recounting how he gets bullied in school, which has seen an outpouring of supportive responses including from Marvel’s Chris Evans.
Kimberly Jones took to Facebook and Twitter to post a video after she picked up her son from school as Keaton Jones was afraid to go to lunch.
The video has been watched more than 19 million times on Facebook alone.
“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. 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,” Kimberly Jones said on Facebook.
Numerous celebrities have responded in support of the young boy, with Captain America Chris Evans taking to Twitter to invite Keaton Jones and his family to the premiere of Marvel’s The Avengers: Infinity War.
“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?” Evans asked.
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
Likewise, Marvel Games executive director Bill Rosemann took to Twitter to offer the following support.
“Hey Keaton, I can promise you it does get better. Many people at Marvel were bullied when we were young (just like Spider-Man & Captain America) and now we’re the ones who grew up & are creating anti-bullying stories. We stand against bullies & we stand with you! Stay strong!” Rosemann said.
Hey Keaton, I can promise you it does get better. Many people at @Marvel were bullied when we were young (just like Spider-Man & Captain America) and now we’re the ones who grew up & are creating anti-bullying stories. We stand against bullies & we stand with you! Stay strong! https://t.co/Xtv6CQfkGz
— Bill Rosemann (@BillRosemann) December 10, 2017
Other celebrities who have voiced their support include UFC president Dana White who invited Keaton to the UFC Headquarters, and Donald Trump Jr. has offered the Keaton family a place to stay if they accept White’s offer.
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) December 10, 2017
This boy is incredibly brave and the video really got to me. @danawhite, If he takes you up on your offer to see UFC Headquarters, I would be honored to host him and his family at our place if they need somewhere to stay. https://t.co/EWx05o0yI0
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) December 11, 2017
Mark Hamill, Kevin Smith, Millie Bobby Brown, Josh Brolin, Mark Ruffalo, Jason Momoa and more also offer their support:
Keaton-Don’t waste time wondering why a bully would be so mean-They’re sad people who think hurting others will make them feel better because they really don’t like themselves-They’re just jealous because you’re so smart & handsome Your friend-mh https://t.co/SUMw3OoCTm
— @HamillHimself (@HamillHimself) 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
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) December 9, 2017
It DOES get so much better, Keaton! As a kid I was bullied for being a butterball. It hurt like hell. But you seem to understand that it’s THEM not you. Bullies are always deficient assholes; you are a clearly a soulful person. And that has earned you a friend (& fan) over here! https://t.co/tKXcA1DtjI
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) December 10, 2017
#KeatonJones Our Man of Steel pic.twitter.com/DpdBwF7s1s
— Christopher Volken™ (@VolkenVol) December 10, 2017
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) December 11, 2017
I got bullied when I was growing up made me run far away from home. This right here is evil. My ma used to say u get bachi. meaning something bad will happen to you if your actions are malicious. Basically Japanese for karma mofo. Punk bullies you’ll get yours the universe sees. Mahalo @joshbrolin @danawhite keep your head up Keaton jones your beautiful baby boy Aloha j
How ironic that I wake up to this this morning while I was thinking of the purpose of trolls. What is the purpose of a bully? Someone who finds satisfaction in making someone feel less than. I had this troll yesterday, I have quite a bit, and for no reason (not political, or otherwise) felt the need to sh-t on my professional and personal life. Why? It happens all the time and this time I think it hurt because I went on his page and saw that he was a father to a young child. And I thought, this is how it all starts: the shootings, the hate, all the vitriol. “Let me see if I can, unprompted, make someone feel like sh-t about who they are. I just want someone else to feel like sh-t”. I was bullied as a kid. It’s horrible when you feel you can’t fight back. Now, I can handle it, this kid shouldn’t need to. Nobody should really need to. — ….JB
