#don’t feel ashamed or sum if this is how u view it | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

riselioness · 5 years ago

Text

Some thoughts on TROS, including things I enjoyed

It’s two weeks since I first saw TROS (I’ve had a couple more viewings since then), and I’ve been doing a LOT of processing since then (haven’t we all!). I’m disappointed with many aspects of it, but there’s also a lot in it I enjoy, and some things I love. I think I’m now at a place where I’ve largely made my peace with what TROS is as a film, and am both able and keen to enjoy it (I have a high tolerance for ridiculousness in Star Wars, which definitely helps). I’ll probably be sharing some less positive articles/meta in time, but I wanted to start in a more positive way. So I’m going to get my main criticisms out of the way first, then share some of my favourite things about TROS.

From the start TROS was set an impossible task: close out the entire Skywalker saga, conclude major plot threads and character development, and reunite and invigorate the fandom after TLJ and Solo. It's abundantly clear that there was no real overall plan for the sequel trilogy, and without this how could the film possibly succeed? There are some things in TROS that could/should have been incredible if developed over the course of the three films: the Emperor's return, Finn's being Force sensitive, Leia's Jedi training to name just a few. But the way these things were handled in TROS was sadly lacking.

I've been rooting for Bendemption for some time, and the fact that he ends the film on the Light Side is one of the major reasons why I'm able to enjoy TROS as much as I do. However, he doesn't get a redemption arc so much as a redemption U-turn. Given his progressive and deliberate embracing of the Dark in TFA and TLJ, TROS had a LOT to do to set up and justify a convincing turn to the Light, and I don't think it did that. I do buy his turn, but that's in large part due to me reading into it headcanon that's consistent with the film but not contained within it (more on that later).

Ben having such an abrupt change of heart (for ambiguous reasons), and dying so soon after, means TROS barely scrapes the surface of redemption, and doesn’t even touch on the long, long work of reconciliation and rehabilitation. Why did Ben turn back to the Light at that moment, when he’d had so many other chances? If he’d lived, how would he have dealt with facing the consequences of his actions? Even though he’s (presumably) genuinely repented of his violent, manipulative and abusive behaviour towards Rey, how (if it’s even possible) would he reform to such an extent that there would be even a possibility of a healthy relationship with Rey? In failing to address these questions, TROS fails to provide a believable or responsible picture of the messy, painful and lengthy process we try to sum up with the word redemption.

I’ll leave any in depth commentary on representation in TROS to those better qualified than me, and just say here that the sidelining of Rose Tico (as the first major POC woman protagonist in the SW films, and especially given the horrific racial abuse Kelly Marie Tran was subjected to) is inexcusable, and the people responsible should be ashamed of themselves.

Despite all these things and many more, there was plenty in TROS that I liked or loved. I’ve enjoyed it more with each viewing, and I hope this continues. So in that spirit, I thought I’d share some of the things I loved (in attempted chronological order):

REY. REY REY REY. I flipping love her, and overall I’m happy with where she ended up as a character by the end of TROS. Am I completely happy with her characterisation? No. Do I think it could have been done better, for example if any women at all were involved in writing her? Absolutely. Do I still love her with every bit of my fangirl heart? You bet I do.

Literally every single hug and friendship moment in the whole film (wish I could remember more specific examples, awks).

Finn's absolute devotion to Rey (which I read as deep platonic friendship rather than unrequited love). The moment where she actually tells him what’s worrying her

Iain McDiarmid was great. As a prequel girl I got a real kick out of him quoting that line from ROTS.

Rey and Poe's argument at the start of the film (shame that tension is brushed under the carpet for the rest of the film).

"Dark science. Cloning". For some reason, that line and Dom Monaghan's delivery crack me up every time, despite (or perhaps because of) the Very Serious Moment.

Rey's little smile after she heals the sandworm, pleased with and proud of what she's done.

BABU FRIK. His heyheeeeeeeeeys get me every time.

Hux’s “I’m the spy” reveal was bonkers, but very enjoyable.

The fact that Rey doesn't try to redeem Ben. The way I read it is that when she senses Leia's presence she remembers that it's Leia’s son she's just mortally wounded, and that once she had hope that he would join her on the Light side. In healing him she allows him one more chance to make the right decision, but she doesn't try to influence him. Instead she leaves him to choose for himself, and you can see just the flicker of hope on her face that Ben Solo might come back after all. It was hugely important to me that after TLJ, when she literally closes the door on him, she didn't spend TROS trying to redeem him. Is Ben’s turn sudden and unexplained in the film? Yes. Is Rey’s part in it made clear? Nope. Can I read it in a way I like? Heck yes.

The scene with Kylo/Ben and the memory of Han Solo. I was on tenterhooks all throughout it, and the moment when he hurls his lightsaber into the sea is probably my biggest punching-the-air moment after the throne room scene in TLJ.

Every frickin' second of Ben Solo screentime we get after this. Sprinting alone across Exegol to her in his Hot Jedi Boyfriend outfit. THAT LOOK before the lightsaber manoeuvre. His little bow before he absolutely destroys the Knights of Ren. Limping and crawling to her and the way he tenderly holds her before healing her. The kiss - somewhat despite myself. I read it as a back-from-the-dead-heat-of-the-moment-potential-start-of-something kiss, when she saw the Ben she thought she saw in TLJ. My headcanon is that had he lived they wouldn’t have fallen headlong into a relationship, but rather would have taken time to get to know themselves and each other, and for Ben to do A LOT of reforming, before potentially starting something. Doesn’t that sound like riveting cinema (I wish). You can tell, from the fact that my feelings in this paragraph are inconsistent with my thoughts about Bendemption at the start of this post, that I am VERY conflicted about Reylo.

The fact that it's very clearly Rey who saves the galaxy (with the help of the Jedi before her). When Ben was racing to join her, I was worried that his part in the showdown might lessen her agency, strength and power, but in fact he was the one who got damselled.

Rey’s yellow lightsaber!

Rey calling herself a Skywalker - I've got mixed feelings about it now, but first time round it really worked for me.

There are plenty more things I liked, but these are the ones I’ve got for now. My feelings on TROS are and will probably remain distinctively mixed, but I’ve found it pretty therapeutic to share both my main concerns and things I loved. If you’ve made it this far, thanks for bearing with me!

#st #tros #tros spoilers #conflicted about reylo #my thoughts #tell me yours!

4 notes · View notes

smallcowplant · 6 years ago

Note

Can we have some more big sister Sam advice?

o shoot okay

here’s some assorted stuff that I could go off about if u were my lil sibling tbh

we spend so much of our life worried about what other people might think about us/being embarrassed but like……..u only got one life. so wear that pretty dress you’re worried about ruining, use that sticker set/washi tape u bought, flaunt your interests. it’s crazy how society really tries to push the whole ‘blend into the crowd, keep your head down’ shit. don’t be ashamed of doing stuff you love. if you love folk metal and neon clothing and writing fanfiction…….that’s valid and fun. anybody who tries to smother ur creativity probably has some deep issues that have……nothing to do with u

your art is not bad. your writing is not bad. your creations are not bad. you are not trash/garbage/an awful person. this kind of bs (and ‘relatable, omg I’m so ugly, stupid, bad’ culture) is so toxic. if you look at the stuff you make and dislike aspects of it, that’s okay! it shows that you’re growing and honing your craft! nothing is perfect on the first try. NOTHING is ever perfect. ever. and even when you criticize aspects of your work/yourself, please know that first and foremost, you HAVE to be your own biggest cheerleader first. you have to believe that your art is worth making, that your stories are worth writing, that what you create is worth creating, and that your life is worth living. and you want to know why?? it’s because you exist, this sum total of coincidences and situations and dreams…..and what you do matters. because you won’t be here forever. so make it matter. to you.

invest in some good bras/underwear.

one day, if it hasn’t happened yet, someone will break your heart. this will most likely happen more than once. and it will hurt, like your heart has been pulled out of your chest and there’s ice in your blood. and you’ll cry and feel empty, and cry some more, and that emptiness will fill every part of you. it will be bad. but it will pass. it will.

stop talking shit on people!! we all love to feel like we’re cooler/more accomplished/better than other ppl but,,,,,,,living in drama and stirring the pot will really only isolate u and make you feel worse over time. (this is obviously not about calling out real issues btw, this is purely about talking shit just to talk shit/gossiping). festering in negativity and putting down people to lift yourself up never works. It just makes you look bitter and gross lol

don’t fcken trust grown ass men/women that persue you when you’re freshly an adult/”legal”. their intentions are usually fucked. a 30 something year old has nothing in common experience-wise with a 18 year old and shouldn’t be trying to mess with you.

don’t be upset at your past self. they made you into who u are now. and that person is pretty cool.

sex is not as big of a deal as society makes it seem. really. like, sure, it can be fun? but it absolutely does not define you. when I was younger, I felt very pressured to grow up/be in a relationship/have sex, which got me into some very uncomfortable situations that really warped my view on relationship dynamics/sex in general. having sex doesn’t change you as a person—-it doesn’t make you better, or worse! it’s just sex.

take pictures! take videos! preserve the stuff you love. memory is faulty and less tangible.

go to shit alone! concerts, movies, lunch. it’s okay to do things without an audience. don’t miss out on stuff just because you’re scared of looking dumb and alone. ppl really are very self-centered and do not notice or care tbh. no one will give u shit. (and if they do, what the hell)

nothing u see on instagram/youtube/twitter/tumblr/films/media is real life. everyone is presenting a polished version of their reality. nobody looks that good all the time, if ever. no love story is as perfect as it may appear. no life is as ideal as you think it is. comparing yourself to people on these terms is useless bc you only ever see what they choose to let you see.

oof that’s a lot sorry

#asks #anonymous #nonsims

39 notes · View notes

blooferlady86 · 5 years ago

Text

The Park By Night

So I am very good at spooking myself and creeping myself out. I’ve never thought of myself as a creative writer, but there are a couple of things that really catch my imagination. I decided to do a thing and actually get something written down. Yes, I take constructive criticism. No, I don’t know how to make something readable on Tumblr, so I apologize if this is a mess. If I can figure out a way to make a story out of it, I’ll write another one on the strange sounds my bus radio makes when I’m driving it to school at 5:30 AM and there’s no one else on the road.

It’s probably barely a story. It’s definitely not a terribly well-edited draft. It’s not even really beyond a rough draft. I know I have some tenses that disagree, but hey, it’s late, and I just finished a spooky walk through the park.

Anyways. Without further ado: A little creepypasta I should probably have just kept to myself:

The Park By Night

“I’m proud of you, you know.”

“Well, I am the pinnacle of human achievement, so I don’t blame you.”

Eleanor leans over the kitchen counter, green eyes staring deeply into mine, reaches gently for my face, and painfully flicks my ear. “Don’t be an ass when I’m trying to be supportive. You’ve done really well. This time last year you were walking with a cane.”

I snag her hand and give her knuckles a gentle kiss. “I only give you a hard time because I know you love it. It means a lot to me, you saying that. It really does. I wouldn’t have made it this far without your help.”

“I’m not the fitness buff. I’ve just kept you company on the couch.”

“That’s not true, and you know it. You helped. Every day. I’m just glad I can finally get back to work full time, and anyone willing to put up with me moping around the house for this long deserves a medal. Or at least a vacation.”

She laughs sharply and eyes the lunches we’ve prepared for the day: cups of noodles and whatever fruit was on sale this week to stave off a vitamin deficiency. “Maybe now that you’re full time again, we’ll be able to stop eating like undergrads and start saving up for a weekend at the lake.”

I give her hand one more kiss. “Sounds like a deal. See you this afternoon.”

It had been a long year. And Nell deserved way more than a weekend away at a lake. After a pallet of lumber crushed my leg right above my knee, I had only been able to go back to work about six months ago. Six months of painful hobbling about in the mornings, to go home after lunch and then do my physical therapy and exercise. The woman was a saint. Things were financially tight even before my accident; neither of us were exactly bringing in massive sums. Her retail job, my warehouse gig, they kept the pantry full and the rent paid. My time away from work drained the savings account, and even getting back to part time felt like a windfall. She didn’t have to tell me how stressful that time had been. I didn’t need to hear both sides of the phone calls with her mother to know my mother-in-law’s thoughts. “If he only had a college degree. He’d be working in an office, this would never have happened, and you’d be a homeowner, not renting some shack.”

She didn’t care. She was my therapist, counselor, and friend through the whole process. Unlike me, she was never one for regular exercise, but she walked me through the strength building routines assigned by my therapist, kept me well fed on the scant amount of money we had, and never made me feel ashamed of having to ask for help. The first day we were able to take a walk through the park together, I felt like a new man. Me, leaning heavily on my cane and her with one arm around my waist, swaying with my lopsided gait to keep our shoulders close, I could finally see the end of the tunnel.

It became my regular exercise spot, and eventually Nell was able to confidently let me limp around the 2 mile loop fenced in by chain link that we had discovered in our neighborhood. She generally sat and read while I completed my lap. Eventually, when I was cleared for driving, she was able to get back to her hobbies at home. She had seen me walking with enough confidence that she was sure I wouldn’t fall and be stuck on the hot pavement of the walking trail without her.

The park was simple, but well maintained. A two mile paved path encircled a lightly forested area along with some kickball fields. There was a green belt with a creek running behind the park. I’d made up my mind to tackle that hike when my limp had been fully conquered. With work being full-time again, that would have to wait for the weekend.

I threw some pasta in a pot when I arrived home that afternoon. Meatless spaghetti. My specialty. It would be ready by the time Nell finished her shift. I did my stretches, some laundry, and some dishes, the only chores I could do without painfully regretting it the next day. We exchanged stories about asshole customers and asshole managers over our meager meal of bargain pasta.

“Are you going for a walk this afternoon? I was thinking of bringing a book.”

“Not this afternoon. A: It’s boiling outside, and B: I need a couple hours of vegetating before my leg is ready to move again. You’d think it would remember how to work all day.”

“‘Don’t forget you’re human’” she quips in a sing-song tone.

“I’m going to forget you’re human if you quote my therapist’s posters again.”

“Tell you what, if you go this evening, I’ll have an ice pack and a beer ready for when you get back.”

“I love you.”

“I know.”

The park is never busy even on weekends. It’s tucked away amongst a bunch of single family homes, well off the main street. During the day, it’s a pleasant breath of oxygen in a crowded suburbia. When I pull the car up, an hour after the sun has gone down, I hardly recognize it. I’ve never been here at night; I’m impressed by how well lit the walking paths are in the little neighborhood greenspace.

Earphones in, music on, I begin my 2 mile walk. I’m making good time for someone with two rods and four pins in his femur. 60 minutes is my record, and I was on the couch for two days after that, with Nell providing me ice packs and disapproving looks until I promised to go easier on myself.

At the quarter-mile sign, I stop to stretch. My calves are in a constant rebellion these days. I hear a tinny rattling, and quickly pop one earbud out to see if I’ve got a short in the wiring. The rattling, though a gentle noise, gets louder when I unplug my ear, not softer. I look quickly back towards the start of the path, but the bright lights illuminating the path make it hard to see beyond the pavement. I realize what I’m hearing is the chain link fencing, as if it’s been lightly jostled. A cat, I tell myself, or a possum squeezing under the fence. They’re nocturnal, right? And I bet they’d love to get to investigate these trash cans. The gentle rattle dies away, I finish my count to 30 on my bad leg and set off again.

You really can’t see anything out here at night, I think to myself. The familiar path is illuminated with frequent overhead lamps, which I am quite thankful for. A stumble on a dark walkway would leave me hobbling home with my tail between my legs to explain to Nell that I’ve overdone it again. Cue another “inspirational quote” from my physical therapist. Movement out of the corner of my eye catches my attention, and I squint across the park at another late-night walker with their dog, finishing the last of their two miles. The lit path is like a band of light snaking through the dark trees, only inky blackness past the light poles. My attention is caught by a figure standing across the park, silhouetted between me and the path the dog-walker just left. I blink, and the two dark legs of the figure come into focus and become the sign post for the one and a half mile mark, the torso a water fountain right behind it. I shake my head, continue walking. Half a mile down.

At the three-quarter mile, I have to stop and stretch again. Maybe it was a mistake to come out for a full walk during my first week back at the warehouse. Tomorrow will be a rest day. As I’m bending down to grab my toe, I get another glimpse of something on the edge of my vision. I snap back upright, wincing as I do so. I squint into the dark space behind me. The same figure, standing in a dark pool of shadow by the entrance to the park. This time I can’t seem to focus and see a sign instead of a pair of legs. The torso and head remain a torso and head. A chill runs down my neck as some part of my subconscious chooses this moment to decide that the figure is most definitely looking in my direction. “All right,” Nell’s voice rings out in my head, “you’re nearly halfway done and you’re not the only one in the park tonight. No problem. Get today’s walk over with, and next time they pass a street light, you’ll see it’s just another late visitor.”

Begrudgingly, I turn my back on the shadow and continue my labored hike. When I’ve gotten one mile finished, the path make a U turn and begins to weave back through the trees towards the parking lot. I take advantage of the wide view of the park to look for my fellow late night ambler who spooked me.

No one.

As I walk, I scan the park starting at the gate, following the path. If they’re walking, I’ll see them. The walking path is the only damn thing you can see in the park, after all. Another metallic rattle has me ripping out my earbuds and I see the chain link fence around the three-quarter mark vibrating in a wind that doesn’t seem to touch the trees. There. Again. The dark outline of a figure, not walking on the path, but standing just outside the flood of light cast by the lamp. Once again, something deep and primal tells me that its unseen eyes are on me.

It’s enough. I don’t care if this is some teenager dicking around with the cripple clomping his way through his required 5,000 steps, I’m ready to be home, watching bad TV with my wife. I pick up the pace, striding as far as I can with each step to just make it back to the safety of my car. I’m glad I didn’t put the earbuds back in. It would have made it harder to hear the chain link start its clatter again. As I round the corner to see the one and a quarter marker, I recognize the sound from when I was a kid and would run my hand along a fence in my yard. It’s getting louder.

I don’t turn my head. I very carefully avoid thinking about the quickly approaching clinking sound. I am studiously facing forward as I imagine the figure three lamps away, two lamps away, one lamp away, running long shadowy fingers across the metal fence. I huff and puff my way up to the next distance marker. The parking lot is ahead. I’m going home.

Filled with the confidence that I’ve nearly crossed the finish line, I take a breath and risk a glimpse over my right shoulder. Nothing. The fence is still, the black shapes of the trees a comforting and familiar sight I recall from my walks in the sun. I take two steps, still looking behind me, when I feel a gentle, warm waft of air in my left ear, followed by a wheezing, rasping inhale of breath.

I’m running. I haven’t run in a year, but I am running now. As the gate comes into view, I feel something pop in my knee. If I’d had time to stumble and stagger, I would have, but the gasping, shaking thing is behind me, and I now I can smell an odor of decaying flesh, of corruption and rot. I push down the burning pain in my leg, and the nausea that threatens to make me double over. I train my eyes on my car and start counting the yards to get there. As I lumber gamely through the gate, I feel something catch at my shirt, and hear the wheezing breath growing louder, just behind me.

I spill into the brightly lit parking lot and throw myself into the car, pummeling the locks as I slam the door. Gripping the steering wheel tightly and closing my eyes tighter still, I listen for the death rattle breath that had followed me out of the park. Nothing. I hear a gentle clink of chain link fencing, and my eyes dart for the source. Still nothing. I turn on every light in my car and check the back seat just for my own sanity. Putting the car into gear and pulling out to the road as quickly as I can, I catch one more glimpse of a silhouette in the mirror. Snapping my head up, I once again see a signpost for the park materialize in place of the dark form I thought I’d seen.

By the time I get home, I’ve almost convinced myself that the entire thing was my imagination. It’s been a busy week. I’m over-tired from being back at work. I went somewhere I wasn’t familiar with, heard some spooky noises, and panicked. I give Nell a hug, and go to take a long hot shower. I’d nearly convinced myself. I pulled my shirt over my head and almost missed the hand print on the back. A hand print with four long, thin, muddy fingers.

The shirt goes straight into the garbage bin.

#creepypasta #okay this is the first thing I've let anyone read since high school #So go easy on me dammit #not terribly scary #I'm working on it

1 note · View note

trendingnewsb · 7 years ago

Text

39 of the best celebrity responses to Keaton Jones’ powerful video about bullying.

Last week, a Tennessee woman named Kimberly Jones posted a video of her son Keaton online. It went mega-viral.

The video, which has been viewed on Facebook more than 20 million times since posting, shows Keaton in tears over being bullied at school. There’s a sense of despair and helplessness in his voice that no child should have to feel, but too many have.

“Just out of curiosity, why do they bully?” a distraught Keaton asks his mom. “What’s the point of it? Why do they find joy in taking innocent people and finding a way to be mean to them?”

This is Keaton Jones, he lives in Knoxville and he has a little something to say about bullying.http://pic.twitter.com/coyQxFp33V

— Everything TN (@Everything_TN) December 9, 2017

The video clearly resonated with people — some who have been bullied, some who have been the bully — and within hours, words of support began to roll in from around the world, including some notes from some high profile people.

Hollywood has Keaton’s back.

Avengers Chris Evans and Mark Ruffalo came up big for the little guy.

Stay strong, Keaton. Don’t let them make you turn cold. I promise it gets better. While those punks at your school are deciding what kind of people they want to be in this world, how would you and your mom like to come to the Avengers premiere in LA next year? https://t.co/s1QwCQ3toi

— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) December 10, 2017

Little buddy, I was bullied when I was a kid. You are right #ItGetsBetter! You are my own personal super hero. Protect Yo Heart. You got a pal in the Hulk. https://t.co/fRTAENcmV4

— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) December 10, 2017

As did Eleven from “Stranger Things,” offering her friendship.

Keaton, this is so accurate. Why do people do this? I think your sooo cool Keaton! I wanna be your friend ( but srsly) ur freakin awesome ❤️ https://t.co/LD7Q762bL9

— Millie Bobby Brown (@milliebbrown) December 9, 2017

The delightful Tom Cavanagh of “The Flash” voiced his support for Jones and against bullies everywhere.

Hey Keaton We here on “The Flash” are on your side – and against bullies everywhere.⚡️ #TheFlash @CW_TheFlash #StandWithKeaton https://t.co/svn8FTZmaT

— Tom Cavanagh (@CavanaghTom) December 11, 2017

Same with Beth Behrs of “Two Broke Girls.”

Keaton Jones you are amazing. So brave and strong and a beautiful human! Sending love from California! https://t.co/AALuA27r0Z

— Beth Behrs (@BethBehrs) December 10, 2017

He got some love from members of “The Walking Dead” cast.

Hey #KeatonJones Just saw your video about the tough time you’re going through. Not sure if you’re a Walking Dead fan but if it happens that you are then please be in touch as I would love to see you and your family @WalkrStalkrCon show in Nashville next year. On me. X

— Tom Payne (@justanactor) December 10, 2017

My dude. Lotta folks got your back. Me included. I’ll come down and have a chat with anybody getting on your nerves. You’re awesome my man. Be strong. Always. You will win because you are the better man. Believe that. Xojd

— Jeffrey Dean Morgan (@JDMorgan) December 10, 2017

Even Gaston and LeFou (a couple of fiction’s most famous bullies) weren’t having it.

I was bullied my whole childhood. Bullying makes me sick. Keaton, it will get better. I promise. These bullies will be a story you will tell one day when you are big and strong and mightier than all of them. https://t.co/8yEqalWfHd

— Luke Evans (@TheRealLukevans) December 10, 2017

This is my message for Keaton. Love you buddy http://pic.twitter.com/pdYK5E7JRk

— Josh Gad (@joshgad) December 10, 2017

Broadway star Ben Platt offered a few words of support.

Keaton- your vulnerability, honesty and emotional intelligence already show how much more powerful, valuable, unique and human you are than any of the bullies you talked about. I have no doubt it will get better and we will all do our part to make sure it does. We love you. https://t.co/JN9hCU49pY

— Ben Platt (@BenSPLATT) December 10, 2017

And so did voice actors Susan Eisenberg and Kevin Conroy, who provided the voices for Wonder Woman and Batman, respectively, on the animated “Justice League” TV show.

Stay strong, Keaton… You are not alone!! #KeatonJones #StopBullying http://pic.twitter.com/ASTUxPlgD4

— Susan Eisenberg (@susaneisenberg1) December 10, 2017

Keaton you are not alone. Please believe that it gets better in time. Bullies are really very weak and not worthy of your tears. I was bullied and grew up to play Batman, how cool is that?! https://t.co/wVWj7PkqLe

— Kevin Conroy (@RealKevinConroy) December 10, 2017

“Coco” director Lee Unkrich and “Ghostbusters” mastermind Paul Feig stepped up.

.@Lakyn_jones Hi! I directed Coco and Toy Story 3. If Keaton ever wants to visit Pixar, he has an open invitation! http://pic.twitter.com/Xv43RONyDr

— Lee Unkrich (@leeunkrich) December 11, 2017

Keaton, you are an amazing kid, a beautiful unique person. You are one thousand times better than any bully. You are right that it will get better one day. You will thrive. Keep learning, stay positive, laugh at how small-minded they are & keep being yourself. @STOMPOutBullyng https://t.co/1rjbarEYDO

— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) December 11, 2017

Some of the biggest stars in professional sports showed up, as well.

LeBron James called bullies “straight up wack, corny, cowards, chumps.”

Damn right! Bullies are straight up wack, corny, cowards, chumps, etc, etc! Keaton keep your head up buddy and push forward! You’re the best https://t.co/pqDgay77l9

— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 11, 2017

Cubs slugger Anthony Rizzo and Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen both offered words of kindness and comfort.

Keaton,U are not ugly, U are amazing. U r my hero for sharing ur story & continuing the conversation about the harm of bullying.Stay Strong! https://t.co/HaO2NqP4SP

— Anthony Rizzo (@ARizzo44) December 11, 2017

This breaks my heart. I stand with you Keaton. You are 1 million times stronger than those bullies. https://t.co/XmGwVYLUjF

— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) December 10, 2017

Former Green Bay Packers cornerback Bernard Blake urged Jones to “never be ashamed of who you are.” Former NFL star Antonio Cromartie stepped in to say that bullies are often just insecure about themselves, asking him to be strong.

Keaton I, along with my @CSUFootball and @packers brothers wanted you to know that we stand against bullying. @Lakyn_Jones #StandWithKeaton http://pic.twitter.com/qReeMlDp71

— Bernard Blake (@BamBam_Blake23) December 10, 2017

Keaton you are a handsome young man who is made in the image God. The kids that bully you are very insecure about themselves. And it’s a shame that the parents of those kids won’t be accountable for their kids actions. Keaton Jones I’m here for you buddy. Be Strong young man

— ANTONIO CROMARTIE (@CRO31) December 10, 2017

Former NFL wide receiver Donté Stallworth urged caution for people suggesting that the bullies be confronted with hostility, asking people who really want to make a difference to try to do it through lessons of love.

We all know kids can be little shits at times—especially when it’s a group of them. We have to teach them to be better people as well through love and leading by example. They are kids, they can change their behavior through love.

— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) December 9, 2017

“Bullying is bullshit,” summed up World Cup champion Ali Krieger. “We need to start coming together, supporting each other and most importantly, standing up for beautiful kids in this world like Keaton.”

This brings tears to my eyes..bullying is bullshit! We need to start coming together, supporting each other and most importantly, standing up for beautiful kids in this world like Keaton. https://t.co/PxGHusq0Dp

— Ali Krieger (@alikrieger) December 11, 2017

Similarly, the music world had words of encouragement and support for Jones.

Demi Lovato predicted that Jones would come out of this experience much stronger than he entered it. Enrique Iglesias called the video “heartbreaking.”

I #StandwithKeaton. Keaton baby, just know you’re not alone. There are so many people who come out of bullying so much stronger and you will be one of them!! God bless you sweetheart. https://t.co/LdCAy2lDHu

— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) December 11, 2017

Heartbreaking to see this. Keaton you’re strong to say these things and care so much for others. #TeamKeaton https://t.co/hgp0ehnn8Y

— Enrique Iglesias (@enriqueiglesias) December 10, 2017

“This extremely raw and real moment has brought hope and truth to so many people,” wrote Kevin Jonas. Nickelback called Jones “a brave young man,” asking if there was anything the band could do for them.

Keaton jones you are a hero. This extremely raw and real moment has brought hope and truth to so many people. Be you and be forever fearless. Never give up. You are loved!

— kevin jonas (@kevinjonas) December 10, 2017

“Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke.” Stay strong Keaton, you’re a very brave young man and a lot of great folks have your back. @Lakyn_Jones if there is anything we can do for Keaton, please let us know. #StandWithKeaton #StopBullying

— Nickelback (@Nickelback) December 11, 2017

Justin Bieber and Snoop Dogg posted words of support on Instagram. “The fact that he still has the sympathy and compassion for other people when he’s going through it himself is a testament to who he is,” said Bieber.

A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on Dec 10, 2017 at 7:20pm PST

Say lil Man U gotta friend in me for life hit me on dm so we can chop it up love is the only way to beat hate 👊🏾☝🏾

A post shared by snoopdogg (@snoopdogg) on Dec 10, 2017 at 7:50am PST

Anti-bullying activists, models, and YouTube sensations all got in on the act as well.

Monica Lewinsky offered a few kind words, saying that she’s sorry Jones is being treated this way, saying that other kids “would be lucky to be friends with [Jones].”

keaton, i’m so sorry you’re being treated this way. you don’t deserve one ounce of this pain. they would be 💫lucky💫 to be friends with you. it’ll get better. #KeatonJones #KeatonJonesIsAwesome https://t.co/IZoJQ60eY2

— Monica Lewinsky (@MonicaLewinsky) December 10, 2017

Model Mia Kang said Jones is her “absolute hero,” offering to fly out and visit him at school for lunch.

Keaton Jones you are an absolute hero. Anyone know how I can get in touch with this kid? I’ll fly out n have lunch with him at school any day. https://t.co/FmTqdvh8hK

— Mia Kang (@MissMiaKang) December 10, 2017

Logan Paul offered to chat with Jones on FaceTime and send some gear his way.

Hey @Lakyn_Jones I messaged your mother yesterday about Keaton… send me a DM, let’s get me on a FaceTime with Keaton and get him some Maverick gear 🤗

— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) December 11, 2017

Politicians across the political spectrum offered words of kindness and courage.

Senator Bob Corker (R-Tennessee) thanked the young man for his courage, and Representative Joe Kennedy III (D-Massachusetts) asked others to look to Jones as a positive example.

Keaton, I know Tennesseans and people across our country join me in saying thank you for your courage. Bullying isn’t acceptable, especially in our schools. We’re all with you! #StandWithKeaton

— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) December 11, 2017

We can all learn from Keaton Jones. #StandWithKeaton #StopBullying https://t.co/VkiN5cMWCO

— Rep. Joe Kennedy III (@RepJoeKennedy) December 11, 2017

Responding to an offer from UFC head Dana White to visit the organization’s headquarters, Donald Trump Jr. offered the Jones family a place to stay. Jane O’Meara Sanders of the Sanders Institute urged action over platitudes, calling on the country to “stand up to bullies — in our schools and communities, on social media and in politics and the White House.”

This boy is incredibly brave and the video really got to me. @danawhite, If he takes you up on your offer to see UFC Headquarters, I would be honored to host him and his family at our place if they need somewhere to stay. https://t.co/EWx05o0yI0

— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) December 11, 2017

💔 It will only “get better someday” if we ALL stand up to bullies – in our schools & communities, on social media & in politics & the White House. Keaton & every other child, teen & adult deserves to be defended against aggression. Please speak up. 💔 https://t.co/JCMPsaBjMd

— Jane O’Meara Sanders (@janeosanders) December 10, 2017

Media personalities joined the chorus with offers of support and workplace tours.

Jemele Hill and Sean Hannity offered Jones and his family tours of ESPN and Fox News, respectively. NBC’s Stephanie Ruhle pointed to Jones as a motivation for a more honest, brave, and kind world.

Hey Keaton, unfortunately you aren’t alone. A lot of kids are bullied, but they will be so uplifted by your courage. You’re a hero, young man. You are treasured and valued. Let me know if you’d ever like to visit ESPN. You can be my special guest. https://t.co/N8mkUTYnEy

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) December 11, 2017

If someone can get to me the name of the school, the principal, school board members i will gladly make the calls myself and fix this. Also if anyone knows Keaton and his parents, i will gladly fly them to NYC to be my guest & visit Fox News. https://t.co/uFyp2r2Yn7

— Sean Hannity (@seanhannity) December 10, 2017

At a time when hate wants to reign supreme, let #KeatonJones be our #mondaymotivation – be honest, be brave & be kind. Have a great day at school Keaton! #yougotthis

— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) December 11, 2017

HLN’s S.E. Cupp shared a story about being bullied as a child, saying, “It’s got nothing to do with you and everything to do with them.” Sunny Hostin, from “The View,” ended with a reminder that “being different makes you special.”

Keaton buddy, I was bullied just like you. It’s got nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. We love you, little man. Your squad’s BETTER than theirs! 👍🏻💪🏻😘 https://t.co/Z4U0soTCcT

— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) December 10, 2017

The bullies are the problem Keaton. Not you. Always remember being different makes you special. @Everything_TN https://t.co/K9VBbrYSQx

— Sunny Hostin (@sunny) December 10, 2017

It’s wonderful to see so many people, from so many backgrounds, come together in support of this one boy.

It’s worth remembering, however, that he’s not the only child in the world being bullied.

According to StopBullying.gov, 28% of U.S. students in grades 6 through12 have experienced bullying. 30% of students have admitted to being a bully to others. School bullying creates a hostile environment not conducive to learning and puts students’ physical, emotional, and mental health at risk.

If Keaton Jones’ story inspired you to take action, check out the StopBullying prevention toolkits for students, parents, teachers, and community members.