Keaton Jones just wants to know why people bully others. The 11-year-old Knoxville, Tenn. boy asked the heartbreaking question in a video his mom posted to Facebook on Friday, and the post quickly went viral.
Keaton had a lot of valid questions.
"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?" he says in the video above.
"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," Keaton's mom said, according to People Magazine.
Bullying is a persistent problem in our nation. Keaton is not alone. Many other students also struggle with being bullied. Anti-bullying website dosomething.org states that bullying affects over 300,000 students every year. In addition, bullying causes as many as 160,000 students to skip school to avoid the constant torment.
Keaton's tearful questions prompted responses from several celebrities as well as country stars. Here's what some of country music's biggest names had to say to the boy.
Thanks for sharing this @walkermcguire . I agree, kids should NEVER have to deal with such hurt & sadness. Everyone, please check out this bullying video out & retweet it to spread awareness. https://t.co/Lq2xKJc8ak
— Jerrod Niemann (@jrodfromoz) December 10, 2017
I want you to keep your head up Buddy. To all kids suffering from being Bullied you are not alone and it is Never OK for anyone to do that to You. I Challenge kids at any school who see this happening to stand up and put a stop it....
— Colt Ford (@coltford) December 11, 2017
?People that are different don?t need to be criticized about it.? You?re so right, Keaton. Stay strong and one day I PROMISE you, your kindness & intelligence will bring you some amazing opportunities. Then we?ll see what the bullies say ? https://t.co/afqV2hPcfw
— Cassadee Pope (@CassadeePope) December 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/mrBobbyBones/status/939687231538810882
Hey, @Lakyn_Jones .. bring your brother Keaton by the bus before my show in Knoxville, TN next month if ya want.. would love to say hello and tell him #IStandWithKeaton
— Cole Swindell (@coleswindell) December 10, 2017
Boy, love this kid. Takes major strength and courage to be this cool. Proud of you Keaton. Invite me to lunch with you.....please. https://t.co/OLhhYIYLg6
— Chris Janson (@janson_chris) December 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/KaceyMusgraves/status/939921210720301061
buddy next time I make it home to Knox I'm going to walk into that lunchroom with you and watch the bullies say they are sorry to you. you don't deserve that. keep your head up and continue to be kind...you will always Come out on top. sending a hug. https://t.co/fZn2hbMPKp
— Kelsea Ballerini (@KelseaBallerini) December 10, 2017
THIS BOY. Talk to your children, y?all. I?m 27 and STILL deal with this nonsense. Enough bullying. Enough cowardly online hate. We?re human beings. Be brave like Keaton. https://t.co/D13U1qYyGU
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) December 11, 2017
Stay strong Keaton. Takes a lot of courage to send such an honest message like this to the world. For anyone being bullied out there, it WILL get better. Until then, there are two 6 foot 4 inch brothers that have your back. https://t.co/Ye25jyYymJ
— Brothers Osborne (@brothersosborne) December 11, 2017
