IU sophomore Hailey Toch is facing accusations of racism after posting a TikTok video in which she made remarks against a Palestinian student.
In the video, Toch said she was getting ready to go to a party when another student knocked on her door to introduce himself. Later, Toch’s roommate mentioned the man was Palestinian.
Toch, who is Jewish, said she would not have opened the door if she knew the man was Palestinian, and said the man probably wants to kill her.
Toch said in the video that she has pepper spray ready to go if he ever comes near her, and she told her roommate not to engage with the man again.
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The video was deleted from Toch’s TikTok account shortly after it was posted, but screen recordings of the video have gone viral on multiple social media platforms. The recordings have been viewed hundreds of thousands of times, and multiple videos and comments condemning Toch’s statements have been uploaded by people both in and outside of IU.
Miral Alabed, a second-year master's student in international studies, who is Palestinian, said it was shocking that there are still people attacking others just based on who they are, especially in such a casual manner.
Numerous comments on IU’s social media page called for action against Toch, and several campus groups have issued statements calling for action. The university posted an Instagram Story reiterating its policy against discrimination.
The Instagram Story was up for 24 hours, and now exists as a highlight on IU Bloomington’s Instagram account.
IU sophomore Aidan Khamis, who is Palestinian, said this action was not enough.
“We still have to live with this vague sense of not knowing where we stand as a community at IU,” Khamis said. “So, I think where IU comes in then, is doing things beyond the disciplinary act. Providing spaces, providing things for Palestinian students.”
Toch did not respond to a request for comment.
