Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of bullying. Reader discretion is strongly advised.
A TikToker is going viral after documenting her experience as a Ukrainian refugee in an American school. The woman said she was bullied by classmates and described what she called inappropriate conduct from a teacher.
Popular influencer @shape_shifter01 shared her experience at a high school, two years after coming to America during the Ukraine War. She listed some of the things she was bullied for as an immigrant in a video that surpassed 4.6 million views as of publication.
When she first joined, students from her grade would ask where she was from. When she told them she was a first-generation Ukrainian refugee, they’d laugh. She elaborated, saying, “They would laugh really hard, even though they knew where I’m from.”
@shape_shifter01 guys it gets worse ✌️? #storytime #bully #ukraine #makeup #creatorsearchinsights
♬ original sound - shapeshifter
She could not recall why they laughed but said she remembered feeling hurt. The mockery was not isolated. She also described an incident involving her English teacher, which she described as “really bizarre.”
One day, she was assigned an essay, which is apparently uncommon in Ukraine. The only instruction she had to go on was that it had to be double-spaced. So, she went home and put a double space between each word, which was incorrect.
The right way was to put two spaces between paragraphs. But without guidance, she couldn’t rectify it and submitted it anyway. A few weeks later, it was returned with a note that read: “Incorrect essay form.”
At school, she asked her teacher for clarification, and instead of an explanation, she was ridiculed. Her teacher apparently joked about it in front of the whole class and repeated it for the rest of the school year.
The Ukrainian Refugee Recalled ‘Big Dog Territory Bullying’
On one occasion, the TikToker got news that her uncle had missile shrapnel and was at risk of amputation or death. With that news still fresh in her head, she still went to school and was met with apathy from her peers once more.
Next, three women who didn’t like her approached her while giggling. The trio repeatedly tried getting the TikToker’s attention, but were ignored.
When they finally had it, one of them giggled and asked, “Are any of your relatives dead yet?” and burst out laughing after making that comment. The others who were with her seemingly didn’t expect that and profusely apologized for their friend’s comments and behavior.
The TikToker was on the verge of tears, and the student who had made the comment laughed harder at her reaction. She recalled other incidents involving offensive gossip and jokes from both students and teachers.
Although there was criticism and negativity, many of her followers expressed empathy in the comments. One user pointed out, “People lack so much empathy…it’s disgusting.” Another apologized, saying, “I’m sorry this is your experience."
The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the events described in this video, including the conduct of the teacher and peers referenced. The details above reflect the account shared by @shape_shifter01 on TikTok. The identity of the school and the individuals described have not been confirmed.
