Keaton Jones, the kid whose anti-bullying video touched the hearts of millions of people, appeared on the British talk show ‘This Morning’ with his mother to discuss the aftermath of the viral video and Keaton’s return to school. According to his mother, Kimberly Jones, the Keaton Jones controversy has reached an all-time high and Keaton will not be returning to school until after the holiday season.
Discussing Keaton’s return to school, Kimberly says, “I’ve struggled […] especially being this close to Christmas break…” She adds, “After seeing how big it got, I mean it just seems like maybe we should let it die down a little bit before we made any decisions so that we could kind of have a reality of what life is gonna be like.”
A new image of Keaton and his family emerged after photos posted on Kimberly’s Facebook page surfaced. The pictures featured the family posing with Confederate flags as well as photos of his estranged father with white supremacy tattoos. Keaton spoke about how this has affected his life at school, stating that his situation has become worse.
Kimberly spoke to Access Hollywood on Tuesday and claims that the photos that have circulated since have tarnished the happiness that it once brought Keaton. She stated, “I mean, you know, he was a hero. Yesterday, the world loved us. Today, the world hates us.”
However, despite the negative turn that the situation has taken, Kimberly explains that they are trying to remain positive and focus on the original anti-bullying message. In response to the backlash of the Keaton Jones controversy, Kimberly claims, “we’re not racists, people that know us to know that.”
Kimberly’s Facebook account is now private. Jones has confirmed that the photo of her family posing with the Confederate flag which was the cause of the Keaton Jones controversy is real, however, she maintains it’s not racist in any way. She explains: “it was meant to be ironic and funny and extreme.” She adds, “I’m genuinely and truly sorry, if I could take it back I would.” As of now, the date of Keaton Jones’ return to school is still in question.
Despite the controversy, many people online are choosing to continue supporting Keaton and his message. The idea is that it is possible to separate the important anti-bullying video, the movement, and the 7-year-old from his mother’s actions and beliefs. Kimberly says, “If you want to hate me […] that’s fine. But still, talk to your kids, because this is an epidemic.”
Keaton adds, “don’t let it get to the point it did for me. You have friends. Stand up for people that are being bullied…if you see it doesn’t just watch it happen.”
