The video of a boy named Elijah is currently going viral online and causing thousands of strangers to offer words of love and support. The clip, which was reportedly shared by @nate.aka.nasty on Instagram, shows the boy emerging from his bedroom in a sharp new outfit and modeling it for his family to see. As he does, they give him compliments and reassurance that he looks great, which is exactly what he needs to hear after what he's been going through lately.
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According to his family, Elijah has been facing a lot of bullying lately
And as much as he liked the new outfit he got, he was nervous to wear it to school only to be bullied once again.
Hence, the reason why his family organized a little "hype party" to let him know that he not only looked great, but to also encourage him to have the confidence to wear the new outfit — or any outfit — to school without fear of judgment.
Though the video is credited to @nate.aka.nasty, it didn't go viral until the page @pubity shared it
Since then, it's racked up hundreds of thousands of views and prompted a lot of responses from people all over the world.
"Undoubtedly better dressed than the rest of his classmates," wrote one commenter, after seeing the boy take a spin in his new jeans, plaid button-down, and matching cardigan.
"He looks so sweet and genuine," added someone else. "Shame to hear he is getting bullied. Stay respectful people."
"Looks like the sweetest kid ever," another person shared. "Whoever bullied him will grow up to be stuck in their hometown at the local bar talking about their glory days."
Others simply professed their love for the boy, and wished they could give him a hug.
"I love him," one person wrote. "Tell him he’s going to be just fine."
The video has even been shared on Reddit in recent days
In that version, you can clearly hear his family hype him up as he emerges from his room.
"All right, Elijah, come on out," a voice says, as the young boy steps into the hallway.
In the moments that follow, his family can be heard cheering him on, saying things like, "Yeah!" "Yes, sir," and "Lookin' good!"
This kid was nervous about wearing his new outfit to school after being bullied so his family decided to hype him up!
by u/Specific-College-194 in MadeMeSmile
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People had plenty to say on the Reddit post, too
This time, it sparked an honest conversation about the ongoing threat of bullying in schools.
"I’m a middle school teacher and no matter what a kid wears or does to his or her hair, they’re gonna have comments made," one user wrote. "Even the most popular kids come in with hoodies pulled tight after getting a haircut. Any change in appearance is cannon fodder. It’s not even nasty most of the time. It’s teasing. It is just insanely hard to be a middle school kid."
"Man, as an overweight girl my whole life, this brought back a core memory of mine …," shared another person, who said that they hope Elijah's happiness "lasts a long time."
"It’s tough growing up being a big kid that might not love themselves and then going to school thinking their outfit makes them happy and all it takes is one 'joke' to make their self-esteem crumble," the user continued.
Bullying in or out of school is sadly nothing new
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, one out of every five (20.2%) students report being openly bullied in school — and boys are usually the ones on the receiving end. Girls, however, are more often the subject of gossip and rumors.
Hopefully, Elijah can overcome any hurtful comments or cruel teasing he may get in school — especially now that he has the entire internet backing him.
"I find him very endearing," one person shared. "He looks like a bright, polite kid, would love to be his friend."
"Nothing better than a supportive family," added someone else.
"Where do the bullies live?" another person joked. "(Asking for a friend.)"
