Mum of bullied kid whose tearful video went viral shuts down Facebook page after being called racist
The mother of a boy whose heartbreaking bullying video went viral has shut down her Facebook page after being called a "suspected racist".
On Sunday, video of Keaton Jones bursting into tears after being picked up by his mother from his Tennessee school was posted on Facebook.
"People that are different, don't need to be criticised about it. It's not their fault. If you are made fun of just don't let it bother you. Stay strong I guess. It's hard," the boy says in the video.
The video was shared by his mother Kimberly Jones and gained worldwide attention, including kind messages from celebrities including Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato, Mark Ruffalo and Katy Perry.
But on Monday, activist Tariq Nasheed tweeted a screenshot of Ms Jones' Facebook page with photos of family members holding a Confederate flag.
Displaying the Confederate flag is viewed by many Americans as a racist action while others say it is a reflection of southern pride.
"Dear butt hurt Americans, If you aren't bleeding, no bones are sticking out & you can breathe, STOP crying!" Nasheed said Jones wrote in August.
"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."
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Nasheed reportedly labelled Ms Jones a "suspected racist".
The Facebook page has since been taken down, but a PayPal account has been started to raise money for Keaton.
After Ms Jones was called a "racist", a post was shared on Keaton's Instagram page, believed to be managed by his mother, apologising.
"This is Keaton I want to apologise on behalf of my mum for the things she has said towards other races. I love my mother by [sic] also realise wrong is wrong," the post read.
"I hope we can all put her mistakes in the past and focus on bettering the world. Thank you."
The post, as well as the Instagram page, was removed on Monday night.
The original video, posted by Keaton’s mother, has been viewed more than 18 million times on Facebook.
“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,” Ms Kimberly wrote.
“My kids are by no stretch perfect & at home, he’s as all boy as they come, but by all accounts he’s good at school. Talk to your kids ... We all know how it feels to want to belong, but only a select few know how it really feels not to belong anywhere.”
