Keaton Jones' mother responds to racism allegations, says photos were meant to be 'ironic'

The mother of a Tennessee boy caught in backlash over social-media posts featuring the Confederate flag after her son's bullying video went viral said her posts were meant to be "ironic" and "funny," not racist.

"(Those were) the only two photos on my entire planet where I am anywhere near a Confederate flag," Kimberly Jones told CBS News in a segment that aired Tuesday morning, saying the photos had nothing to do with racist intent.

"I've spent most of my life being bullied and judged because I wasn't racist," she said.

Jones has not responded to requests for an interview from the Knoxville News Sentinel. No one was home Monday when reporters visited a home in Luttrell, Tenn., about 20 miles northeast of Knoxville that property tax records show belongs to her.

► Monday:Fake fundraisers, racism allegations follow boy's anti-bullying video
► Monday:School district, parents respond to Keaton Jones bullying video
 

Her comments to CBS come a few days after Jones posted a now-viral video of her 11-year-old son, Keaton Jones, talking about how he was bullied at school and afraid to go to lunch. 

The video sparked outreach from around the globe, including dozens of celebrities and professional athletes, some of whom offered to fly Keaton and his mother across the country to attend movie premieres, sporting events and exclusive tours.

But it also sparked backlash over unrelated social-media posts by Kimberly Jones and her daughter, Lakyn Jones, that featured photos of Confederate flags. A wave of fake social media accounts from people trying to cash in on Keaton's fame also popped up. 

The images sparking the backlash included a photo of Kimberly Jones holding up a Confederate flag and a family photo including Keaton where the Confederate flag was pictured hanging beside the American flag. 

On Twitter, Lakyn Jones said the posts were not intended to be racist. She also responded to allegations on social media that her brother used the "N word," saying he does not and "we don't condone that behavior."

She also has not responded to requests for an interview.

Kimberly Jones made her Facebook page private amid the attention the bullying video began getting and the backlash. 

Her son told CBS that it was his idea to make the video, and his mother said she wasn't sure what to think before posting it. 

► Monday:Celebrities stand with Keaton Jones, boy who spoke against bullying
► Saturday:Crying boy's viral anti-bullying video attracts attention of Vols, Titans

"I knew it could be great and I knew it could be awful, and it has been," she said. 

In the video, Keaton, crying in the passenger seat, describes having milk poured on him, ham put down his clothes, kids at school make fun of him and children call him ugly.

"Just out of curiosity, why do they bully?" he said. "What's the point of it? Why do you find joy in taking innocent people and finding a way to be mean to 'em? It's not OK."

Follow Rachel Ohm on Twitter: @rachel_ohm