A video of a boy named Keaton Jones went viral Friday after his mother posted it on her Facebook. Keaton starts the video asking why people enjoy messing with innocent people. He describes being called ugly as well as being bullied at lunch and having milk poured into his hair. The video tugged at the heartstrings of many.
#KeatonJones
????Now more than ever the tone has been set that it’s ok and even effective to bully????This ain’t the old school bullying either: it continues at home & on SOCIAL MEDIA. Children????????are ????????committing ????????suicide????????
They need compassion, inclusion & protection???????? pic.twitter.com/iQTzKCCZkZ— Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete) December 11, 2017
After it has gone viral, many members of the hip-hop community are speaking up on Keaton's behalf. From Snoop Dogg to Cardi B, people are standing up for Keaton.
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker addressed the issue of bullying at school and invited Keaton and his family to the Titans' game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 31.
@DonteStallworth
@Lakyn_Jones hopefully my video and the tweets that Keaton have been getting brings awareness to bullying and how serious it is in our school system pic.twitter.com/1Dujv3RxA5— Delanie walker (@delaniewalker82) December 9, 2017
J.R. Smith also offered to bring Keaton to a game when they play in Memphis.
That’s a damn shame. Keaton if your around when we play in Memphis i would love to invite you to one of our games. Head up Champ! https://t.co/Moh9ObdgX8
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) December 11, 2017
Tennessee QB Jarrett Guarantano spent the day with Keaton yesterday, warming the hearts of many.
So I got the chance to spend the day with my new best bud Keaton. It was unbelievable to get to know him and realize that we have a lot in common. This dude is very special and has changed my life forever. Now I have the little brother I always wanted! God bless you my man pic.twitter.com/vMHVtnf2rC
— Jarrett Guarantano✞ (@BroadwayJay2) December 11, 2017
The power of the Internet allowed for so many people to see and sympathize with Keaton in an amazing way. However, there has been some backlash as people are alleging that his parents are racist.
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
While it's ironic and unfortunate that his parents are this way, no child deserves to be bullied because their parents are on the wrong side of history. The black community has shown Keaton so much compassion, and hopefully, it will teach him about love and acceptance better than his parents may have.
