A young Cuban man living in the United States took to social media on Tuesday to share a distressing ordeal he experienced on a bus en route to his job. The incident involved an unprovoked attack by an American man who inexplicably spat on him.
Marcos Barrera Martorell, widely known as Marky (@marky_barrera) on social media, recounted how he routinely takes two buses to reach his workplace. While seated at the back of the bus, engrossed in videos on his phone, a man sat beside him unnoticed. Suddenly, the man spat on his face, neck, and clothes.
Shocked and bewildered, Marcos attempted to question the assailant, but received a reply in English that he couldn't understand. Unable to process the situation, he moved to another seat, overwhelmed with tears.
"I just began to cry and cry and cry. I consider myself to be very unhappy, very foolish," Marcos expressed, highlighting the emotional toll of the attack. Unable to continue his commute, he exited the bus several stops early, crying uncontrollably until he vomited from the anxiety and distress.
He eventually hailed a taxi to complete the journey, but had to request an early leave from work due to his shaken state. Marcos expressed his confusion over the possible motives behind the aggression, pondering whether it was due to his Latino heritage, his sexual orientation, or an unfounded act of discrimination.
"I still don’t know why that man spat on me. Was it because I'm Latino, or because I'm gay?" he questioned.
This harrowing experience has left a significant impact on him, admitting to feeling anxious every time he uses public transportation now.
"Many people say they've experienced similar things here in the United States, things immigrants often face. But nothing like this had ever happened to me, and I always take the bus," Marcos noted.
Despite trying to resume his routine, the incident has deeply affected his daily life and sparked a heated discussion on social media regarding the challenges faced by Latino immigrants in the U.S.
Recently, the TikToker shared with his followers the only reason he might consider returning to Cuba. Marky began his video with a twist: “The reason I'm fed up and going back to Cuba... doesn't exist! There's no reason for me to return to Cuba. I think about it, and there's none,” he said, eliciting laughter from his audience.
On another occasion, Marcos also shared his recurring nightmare of traveling to Cuba without legal residency in the U.S. and getting stuck there. He recounted with a mix of humor and anxiety how he wakes up with a racing heart, only to be relieved that he is still in the United States.
Challenges Faced by Latino Immigrants in the U.S.
What challenges do Latino immigrants face in the United States?
Latino immigrants often face discrimination, cultural barriers, and economic difficulties while trying to assimilate into American society.
How can incidents like the one experienced by Marky affect immigrants?
Such incidents can lead to increased anxiety, fear of public spaces, and a feeling of alienation, impacting their emotional well-being and daily routine.