This is why people are enraged over the video of bullying victim Keaton Jones
Earlier today, we reported on the story surrounding Kimberly Jones’s Facebook video of her 11-year-old son, Keaton. The clip, which has since gone viral, depicts Keaton in a teary state as he questions why his peers enjoy bullying others. Following the hashtag #StandWithKeaton, celebrities such as Chris Evans, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, and Mark Ruffalo have stepped in to support the young boy in the name of bullying prevention.
However, this narrative quickly received backlash, as a Twitter user posted Facebook screenshots depicting racist comments, and family photos featuring Confederate flags, that appear to be uploaded by Kimberly. This was compounded by an alleged Instagram conversation that occurred between Kimberly and MMA fighter Joe Schilling, in which Ms. Jones appears to make additional racist remarks. Those following this story were furious — especially considering that money is being raised for Keaton. The Grapevine reports that a GoFundMe account acquired over $55,000 for the young boy, causing many to wonder if Jones was simply looking to financially benefit from this video of Keaton.
Keaton Jones MOM is a next level racist who's posted in many offensive and non remorseful comments towards black people, so how is she preaching about bullying when she herself is a bully
lmao people are funny pic.twitter.com/bTnF7BFDGr
— Queen Mel
(@BLVCKMATTERS) December 11, 2017
And there’s yet another wrinkle in this case. Apparently the Kimberly Jones profile Schilling was communicating with was a fake. On Twitter, Lakyn Jones, a young woman claiming to be Keaton’s older sister, has responded to this backlash, stating that her mother’s Instagram account is private and is not the one being depicted in Schilling’s screenshots. She adds that her family is not looking for money and that they are not associated with the GoFundMe account in question.
I reached out to Keaton’s sister and this was the response... before people start assuming remember there are people in this world that pose as others and use viral events for money. Just keep an open mind. pic.twitter.com/HdV36r38mc
— Tyler (@14Tydemedeiros) December 11, 2017
As for Facebook, Lakyn does not deny that the Facebook screenshots depicting the Confederate flag are her mother’s. “I am from the south. You’ll see a million flags like that. Doesn’t mean we are racist,” Lakyn wrote, in response to a Twitter thread. The thread stemmed from a tweet Lakyn posted addressing her family’s reported racism:
“Those who know me and my family know we aren’t racist. My brother doesn’t say the ‘N’ word. Please leave it alone.”
The Instagram KimberlyJones_38 is NOT my mom. She has a private Instagram and hasn’t talked to anyone. We haven’t received any money and don’t plan on it. The gofundme’s aren’t by any of us.
— Lakyn
(@Lakyn_Jones) December 11, 2017
This is what we know as of right now. Nothing has officially been confirmed by any party involved. If you want to make a direct donation to an anti-bullying campaign, consider donating to organizations such as the Stop Bullying Foundation and the It Gets Better Project.
