Ole Miss Investigates Students After Racist Video Goes Viral

Two white students at the University of Mississippi are under investigation after a surveillance video captured them making offensive monkey gestures toward Black students, according to reports from The Guardian and abc10.com.

The incident was caught on a Ring doorbell camera at an apartment complex. Jakiyra Metcalf, a freshman, uploaded the clip from her apartment door to TikTok on Saturday. The footage shows one woman thumping her chest and making babbling noises like a primate, while another woman jumps into the frame to mimic the sounds.

University of Mississippi students seen on video making racially offensive gestures

The video has gained nearly 13 million views online. This massive reach has amplified the outrage surrounding the racial connotations of the behavior.

Metcalf’s mother, Tasha Bolton, described the behavior as “absolutely disgusting and unacceptable” in a statement shared on Facebook. She noted that her daughter lives with two Black roommates and that the women in the video are her neighbors living upstairs.

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Brooks Bolton, the father of the student involved, stated that the family is not yet speaking publicly about the situation.

Alaina Kunes, an 18-year-old student featured in the video, released a statement through a Chicago law firm. While she apologized, she maintained that her actions were not motivated by race.

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“I would have never intentionally made those noises or gestures toward a person of color,” Kunes said. “I have apologized to the women, and I pray they will forgive me.”

Kunes also noted that her family has faced backlash since the video went viral. She reported receiving death threats and harassment over the last several days and requested privacy for her family while she cooperates with the university’s investigation.

Shawnboda Mead, the vice-chancellor for student affairs at the University of Mississippi, issued a statement on Sunday condemning the actions. She emphasized that every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued on campus.

Ole Miss investigating video of white women making monkey noises outside Black students' apartment

“Racism and actions that disparage people because of an aspect of their identity have no place in our campus community,” Mead said.

Mead also cautioned the campus community against sharing unverified information regarding the identities of those involved. She confirmed that the university has reached out to the affected students to provide support and listen to their concerns.

Two Ole Miss students make racist gestures in front of black student's apartment

As of Tuesday, a university spokesperson had not responded to inquiries regarding whether the women remain enrolled or if any specific disciplinary actions have been taken.

This incident is not an isolated occurrence in the history of the University of Mississippi. The institution has faced several high-profile racial incidents in recent years.

Ole Miss investigating video of group making racial gestures toward Black students

More recently, during a pro-Palestine demonstration on campus, several white male counter-protesters were documented directing monkey noises at a Black female protester.

The recurring nature of these incidents suggests campus safety protocols may be ineffective and could impact the university's ability to foster an inclusive environment for minority students.

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