A Bunch Of Celebrities Came To The Defense Of A Bullied Tennessee Boy
On any other Monday, I’d come here swinging with a heaping case of new week “Fuq dis shit–itis” and be ready to pile on some shade at Lindsay Lohan or whoever else was a mess at Sunday brunch, but the new season of The Crown has this kween feeling like THE QUEEN, so I’ll be diplomatic for 10 minutes and bring you a case of the worldwide awwwww’s that came from poor Keaton Jones’ bullying down in Tennessee.
BuzzFeed reports Keaton’s mom posted a video to Facebook last Friday of her son after he dealt with what unfortunately a lot of us have: bullying. Kimberly Jones had to pick up her son early from his middle school in Knoxville after he was too afraid to go to lunch because a bunch of middle school dick heads made fun of his nose, poured milk on him, and stuffed ham in his clothes. I often stuff ham in my clothes to skip paying $20 on popcorn at the local AMC theater, but non-consensual ham stuffing like this is not ok! Keaton, who asked his mom to film the whole thing, then asks what a lot of us would like to ask a certain resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue:
“Why do they bully? What’s the point of it? Why do you find joy in taking innocent people and finding a way to be mean to them? People that are different don’t need to be criticized about it. It’s not their fault.”
This is Keaton Jones, he lives in Knoxville and he has a little something to say about bullying.pic.twitter.com/coyQxFp33V
— Everything TN (@Everything_TN) December 9, 2017
The video has been seen by 20 million people, and pretty much everyone has been getting behind Keaton to show him shit gets better, he’s top dog, and those middle school assholes should be lucky if they so much as wind up being a Walmart greeter after they grow up. Deadline reports Hailee Steinfeld invited him to be her date to the Pitch Perfect 3 premiere on Tuesday (“Hasn’t he been through enough already?!” –Michael K), and Chris Evans offered up an invite to the Los Angeles premiere of Avengers: Infinity War next year (sorry, Jenny Slate! Three’s a crowd!).
Not since Taylor Swift’s 1989 tour has there been more of a collective “Wtf?!” amalgam of celebrities banding together to rally:
#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
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
@Lakyn_Jones 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 ❤️
— Millie Bobby Brown (@milliebbrown) December 9, 2017
.@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
This is heartbreaking. But the response of support for him is a beautiful thing. Add me to your long list of friends Keaton. https://t.co/NKasvdo00u
— Ralph Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) December 10, 2017
Keaton, having been bullied earlier in my life I know very well the feelings of fear and frustration. You are NOT alone! I stand with you…
Your friend,
LeVar https://t.co/UI4doWozJM— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) December 10, 2017
Luke Skywalker with Princess Frosted Tips paired with Dr. Phil and a Reading Rainbow revival?! All I got when I got bullied was a punch in the face from my brother for not punching back. Of course, it didn’t take long for people to check out Keaton’s mom’s social media, and well….
That viral video of #KeatonJones talking about being bullied is heartbreaking, and I feel sympathetic towards that child.
But his mom, Kimberly on the other hand, is a suspected racist who makes very problematic posts bullying Black protesters #TheIrony pic.twitter.com/NUhidunP8z— Tariq Nasheed (@tariqnasheed) December 11, 2017
At least Keaton is the one holding the American flag. Kimberly had a post from August calling out “butt hurt Americans” (something I call myself most Sunday mornings) for what TMZ thinks could be a response to that awful white power rally in Virginia…and to apparently flaunt her love of the flag of the short-lived Confederacy. A lot of people still seemed to rally behind Keaton since it’s not his fault he was born to a bigot, and an unverified Instagram account with his name apologized for her messy shit.
Either way…hopefully a Kimberly-proof trust will be set up for any money made from this, and Keaton’s story will melt enough hearts to change the ‘tude around the playground. It was enough to melt Victoria Beckham’s!
Pic: Facebook