Eleven-year-old Keaton Jones shouted down the bullies and his Facebook video post went viral on Saturday.
The American boy got a massive reaction from celebrities for his heart-breaking message wherein he “recounts how his tormentors at school have been mocking his appearance, calling him ugly and have even poured milk on him”.
But, the social media publicity has proven detrimental to his mother, Kimberly Jones. She is now facing tough questions after people visited her Facebook page to view Keaton’s video and found photographs of her posing with the Confederate flag.
In response to the backlash, she has deleted her Facebook account. However, a status update from her now deactivated Facebook page was being shared by many social media users read: “Dear ... Americans, If you aren’t bleeding, no bones are sticking out & you can breathe, STOP crying! For the love, some folks clearly never picked a switch. And before y’all start talking to me about metaphorical, emotional, financial or historical blood & brokenness, Don’t. Join a group.”
Following this, some users accused her of trying to use her son’s incident to raise money. This is when a woman, who claimed to be Jones’ sister, insisted in a series of tweets (@lakyam_jones) that her mother was not the one asking for money.
Despite this, many celebrities have offered support for Jones, including notes of encouragement from Justin Bieber, Terry Crews and Jennifer Lopez.
The social media frenzy still continues and only time will tell how this episode further unravels.
