Keaton Jones - The Story of a Ruthless Internet

I haven’t written a single thing since January 1^st of this year.  Certainly a mistake on my part, as I have had so much that I’ve wanted to say.  So what event causes me to break the silence?  The Keaton Jones story.  I know!  I know…  You don’t want to hear about it anymore.  The American media has literally turned this relevant story into a bonafide shit show.

I am going to try to make this short.  A Union County (Tennessee) middle-school student, Keaton Jones, was bullied at school.  His mother filmed a video, which ended up going viral.  Keaton started to receive tons of support from around the globe, including celebrities.  A GoFundMe account was started for Keaton.  Then, pictures of Keaton’s mother emerged posing next to a confederate flag.  A snapshot of a Facebook post (made by Keaton’s mother) challenging black Americans who protest police brutality emerged.  This PROVES she's racist!  

When celebrities champion a cause, the media jumps right up on that bandwagon.  TMZ immediately labels the mother as a racist.  Internet backlash starts.  Fake Instagram accounts post misinformation and lead people/celebs to “give money.”  The family is accused of running a scam in order to make money off Keaton’s pain.  Instagram accounts are proven to be fake, and the GoFundMe account is shown to be set up by a stranger.  A report comes out that Keaton used the “N” word which led to the bullying.  Later disproven.  AGAIN.  Keaton and his mother allow a couple of interviews during which time she tells the interviewer that she is not racist, and answers questions regarding the confederate flag.

But it doesn’t matter.  It can't be true.  They HAVE to be lying.  They HAVE to be racists.  The rumor mill is in full effect.  The family is racist.  Keaton is racist.  The family deserves to be bullied.  Keaton deserves to be bullied.  The internet turns on the entire family.  Celebrities are thinking about withdrawing their support.  Race becomes an issue.  Why does this “white boy” get attention when a little black girl killed herself due to bullying.  Would this amount of attention be given if the child was black?  He’s receiving all this support because he’s white.  So it begins.  The entire family is bullied, mocked, demonized, and sentenced.  GUILTY, without a chance to prove innocence.

Then it is discovered that Keaton’s dad is a confirmed racist.  He is seen with white pride tattoos, and wearing white pride clothing.  All of the rumors are confirmed!  Because, if Keaton’s DAD is racist, that MUST mean that Keaton and his mother are racist to, right?  All disproven today.  Come to find out, Keaton’s father was arrested in 2007 for punching his mother in the face, and in 2008 for threatening to kill his entire family, including Keaton.  Keaton’s father was also arrested for stalking and harassing his mother in 2011.  Yeah, I am sure the family just adores that guy.

I hate the Internet.  I can’t stand it.  The American media, and every idiot with a keyboard has turned a legitimate bullying story into a scandal.  A world of true bullies, compounding and worsening what has already happened to this poor kid.  You’d figure that everyone would wait for the facts to come out.  HELL NO!  Speculation and flawed minds run rampant at the expense of the affected family.  Because everyone loves a chance to advance their own agenda. 

I couldn’t be more happy with the people who have chosen to follow through with Keaton and the invitations they have extended to him.  The videos and photos of him that have emerged since this incident have been heartwarming.  I hope that others follow through, and that change comes about in school districts around the country as a result.

Don’t listen to the haters, Keaton.  They are unable to think for themselves.

FILE UNDER RANT

Public Education v. Homeschooling

There has been a lot of discussion regarding the differences between public education and home schooling.  Many from the religious right are demonizing the public school system as a center for brainwashing our youth. 

I am sure that there are many teachers employed within the public school system who will not see eye to eye with my particular set of religious beliefs.  They will emphasize evolution over creation.  They will not mention God, and they may even side with left-wing ideologies that I don’t particularly agree with.  I think this has always been the case.  It would be safe to say that this occurs more these days than back in the early 1900’s.

I can also say I am certain that the public school system employs teachers who hold the exact same faith that I do.  After all, God doesn’t call every single person of faith to the pulpit or into the mission fields of Mexico.  Driscoll said it best.  [Loosely quoted] “We need less pastors and more people working normal every day jobs within society.”

I’m straying from my point as I always seem to do.  As I mentioned above, the religious right has been emphasizing the need for Christians to either home school our children, or send them to a private Christian school.  I think there are important factors not being considered.

If the parent plays an active role in the lives of their children then the issues brought forth by those who demonize the public school system become void.  How many strong Christians do you know who have graduated from the public school system?  I know a lot.  They plowed through school with honors and hold strong Christian values to this day.  There are others who had ups and downs.  Who doesn’t?  It’s grade school.  I can be included in this statistic.  Most of us regained our foothold.  Others did not.

Secondly, why are we putting undue pressure on parents with circumstances that are far different than those who can either afford to put their children through private school or live off one-salary to support a homeschooling household?  Private school costs are high.  And a one-salary household in 2013?    

Good parents feel enough pressure as it is.  We toil to provide everything our children need (emotionally and financially).  Many times, this means that both parents work to pay the bills with little free time of their own.  In the end, there is not enough time to dedicate to our child’s’ scholastic success, nor is there enough money left over to pay for private grade school education.

So what’s up with the guilt trip?

I don’t have anything against homeschooling or private schools.  I have great friends who have attended both.  If I had the money, I’d love to send my kids to private school.  The fact is that I don’t.  And my wife and I don’t have the time (nor the expertise) to guide our children through middle/high school lessons.  Truth be told, I don’t feel bad about it in any way.  And I am very happy for the parents and kids who are able to take part in such great schools.

For those who insist that I remove my child from the public school system:

Here is a reality.  Sin will follow every human being on this earth.  It doesn’t matter where they go to school.  It is my responsibility as a parent to rear my children under biblical direction.  If I don’t do this, then who is the real failure?  This guy.  Furthermore, how can our children show [this little light of mine] if it is hidden under the bushel we tend to bury them under?

I absolutely refuse to retreat from the public school system as if it were an untamed beast ready to devour my children.  This is why we prepare.  This is why we nurture.  This is why we pray and trust in God to protect the ones we love most.

Retreat simply indicates that we feel God isn’t big enough to handle the well being of our children.  O’ ye of little faith.... 

Take a moment to watch this video from Mark Driscoll.  It is a beautiful depiction of what it means to love a daughter the way she should be loved:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5mmer1cquw

Thanks,

Steven