Updated at 8pm
A YOUNG TENNESSEE boy has received thousands of messages of support, after a video of him describing his experience of being bullied in school went viral.
Keaton Jones was picked up early from school last week, and his mother Kimberly recorded the video of him asking why he’s treated by his peers in such a negative way.
The video, which garnered over 22 million views, has elicited a strong response with celebrities such as Mark Hamill, Snoop Dogg and Avengers’ actor Chris Evans sending messages of support.
The video starts with Jones asking his mother: “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 okay.
His mother then asks him what kinds of things have been done to him.
“They make fun of my nose,” he said. “They call me ugly. They say I have no friends.”
He goes on to describe how the people who bully him poured milk on him and put ham down his clothes.
Getting increasingly tearful, he goes on to describe how it makes him feel and how he sees them do it others.
I don’t like that they do it to me. And I, for sure, don’t like that they do it to other people, cause it’s not okay. People that are different don’t need to be criticised about it. It’s not their fault.
But if you are made fun of, just don’t let it bother you. Just stay strong, I guess. It’s hard. But… it’ll probably get better one day.
In the Facebook post accompanying the video, Jones’ mother said that he had asked her to start filming him speaking.
The video has elicited a strong response, with numerous figures reaching out to support Jones and his family.
It has since been taken down of Facebook.
Chris Evans, who plays Captain America in the Marvel series of films, offered to give Keaton and his mother tickets to the premiere of the new Avengers film next year.
Delanie Walker, who plays in the NFL for the Tennessee Titans, offered the family four tickets to come watch the team play at the end of the month.
Actress Hailee Steinfeld asked Keaton to be her date for the Pitch Perfect 3 premiere.
Star Wars actor Mark Hamill had this message for Keaton Jones: “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 and handsome.
Others who offered messages of support on social media included Snoop Dogg, Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown and UFC President Dana White.
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