The story behind Chumazik, the Eastern Bloc internet phenomenon. After appearing in the background of a Russian news report, covered in soot and making a silly face, miner Yury Tatarenkov was given the nickname Chumazik (or “Smudge Boy”) and became a cultural phenom. And then, after a little research, reporters learned Tatarenkov suffered from cerebral palsy. Whoops! *Cue clown whistle* While this story might normally make you taste your own bile, it’s nice to know that the original photog jokers are now raising money for Tatarenkov, who lives alone with his mother. See? Memes may come and go, but kindness lasts forever.

Eliot Glazer
posted about 3 years ago

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