A Latina's Eye-Opening Journey: Viral Message Resonates Across the U.S.

When Valery Bujato first set foot in the United States, she was met with numerous warnings about the dynamics among immigrants. In her viral TikTok video (@valerybujato), she candidly admitted that she initially dismissed these cautions. "People often spoke about these types of individuals as I was entering the country, but I didn't believe it. I always believed in good faith, in goodwill, and in the inherent goodness of people."

As time went by and she gained more experiences, her perspective began to shift. "Upon arrival here, you crash into a completely different reality. You come to realize that there is malice, resentment, envy, and individuals who appear to lend a helping hand only to exploit you later."

Valery recalled the advice she was given back then: "Nobody is going to want to see you succeed; people will always want to see you beneath them, and no one will want to see you surpass them." At first, these warnings seemed far-fetched to her. "I thought it was a lie. I would say: no, how could you think that? This person is great, they want to support me, help me, and open doors for me."

However, she soon encountered situations that illustrated this harsh reality: "Perhaps you've needed a certificate or a permit, and the person you trust has the contact but comes up with a thousand excuses not to give it to you; or maybe you've shared a business idea, and they've told you it's impossible to do here."

Despite these challenges, her message is not one of discouragement, but of resilience and encouragement. "Do not lose hope, do not stop believing, do not stop trusting, and do not take things personally. The sun shines for everyone, and everyone's time will come, some sooner, some later." She concluded with a profound message: "Do not lose your humility, do not lose that sense of helping others. Support others, remembering that the greatest reward comes from above."

Her video, which has amassed over 18,000 likes and more than 1,200 comments, sparked a discussion on the struggles migrants face and the lack of community support. Many in the comments shared similar experiences. One user shared, "Here it's by rank, the one who's been here for 20 years thinks they're the boss and will never want you to surpass them." Another confessed, "The first two years are really tough because you still have a pure soul, then you become hardened, and it's necessary to be that way even with yourself."

Others recounted tales of betrayal and mistrust: "My own daughter and her husband kicked me out of their apartment... but here I am with God, who is infinite," while another reflected, "Malice, selfishness, many forget how they came and how hard it was for them. I don't understand why people are like that."

Nonetheless, there were also positive messages. One comment stood out: "Thankfully, I had a different experience; people have helped me, and I've helped others. I don't think anyone can outperform me, and I haven't felt that from others towards me."

Valery Bujato's testimony has not only evoked empathy but has also inspired many to reflect on their own behaviors. As she stated in her video, "Life takes many turns, and what you give is what you receive."