[Updated] All Our Heroes Rally Around Bullied Kid After Heartbreaking Video

[Update:] This story has taken the most 2017 turn. Wake me when it stops being 2017, which I’m starting to suspect may just be never, despite what the calendar reads.

[Original story:] Over the weekend, a heartbreaking video made the rounds on the internet, in which a young boy tearfully asked why bullies do what they do. While there are countless other kids out there going through the same difficulties, his message struck a chord and resulted in an uplifting chorus of support.

The video was originally posted by Kimberly Jones on her Facebook page, where she said that her son asked to record it just after she picked him up from school in Tennessee, because he was too afraid to go to lunch. In it, he details the things the other kids do to him at lunch, including pouring milk on him and stuffing lunchmeat in his clothes, and asks,

“Just out of curiosity, why do they bully? What’s the point of it? Why do they find joy in taking innocent people and find a way to be mean to them? It’s not OK.

“People that are different don’t need to be criticized about it. It’s not their fault. If you are made fun of, just don’t let it bother you.”

By Sunday, he’d received a flood of support, including all kinds of celebrity assurances that things will get better. Mark Ruffalo tweeted that he, too, was bullied as a kid, and Chris Evans extended an invite to the premiere of Avengers: Infinity War that it looks like he’s going to take up!

Mark Hammill provided the necessary answer to his question about bullies’ motivation:

And University of Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano showed up in person to provide some much-needed friendship.

Many more voiced support, from Millie Bobby Brown and Gal Gadot to Terry Crews.

His family is touched by the “overwhelming” response, with both his mother and sister saying they’re having trouble just keeping up with all the messages of support.

(via The Guardian, featured image: Marvel Entertainment)

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Dan Van Winkle

Dan Van Winkle (he) is an editor and manager who has been working in digital media since 2013, first at now-defunct Geekosystem (RIP), and then at The Mary Sue starting in 2014, specializing in gaming, science, and technology. Outside of his professional experience, he has been active in video game modding and development as a hobby for many years. He lives in North Carolina with Lisa Brown (his wife) and Liz Lemon (their dog), both of whom are the best, and you will regret challenging him at Smash Bros.

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