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The University of Mississippi is investigating a video allegedly showing students making racist gestures on another student's doorbell camera. The video, which was posted to social media, shows two girls making monkey sounds and gestures as they pass by an apartment belonging to three Black students. The university condemned the "offensive, hurtful, and unacceptable behaviors" in a statement, emphasizing racism has "no place" in their campus community. Staff have reached out to the students directly impacted and said they will continue to support them through the process.
The video, captured on a Ring doorbell camera, was posted by Ole Miss student Jakiyra Metcalf on TikTok on Friday (November 6), according to Clarion Ledger. It shows three White women walking past an apartment door, with two of them making monkey-like noises and gestures. The video quickly went viral, prompting the university to launch an investigation.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead confirmed the investigation in a statement on Sunday (November 8). "The behavior depicted in this video is deeply troubling, hurtful, and unacceptable," she said. "We condemn the behavior as it does not reflect our university's values or the kind of community we strive to be every day."
The university's Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct and the Office of Equal Opportunity and Regulatory Compliance are handling the investigation. Mead noted that while student privacy laws limit what can be shared about individual students, the matter is being taken seriously.
According to WAPT, the incident has left a freshman and her two roommates feeling targeted. The student's grandfather, Vincent Ford, expressed concern over the racially insensitive actions, given the history of Black people being stereotyped as monkeys and apes. He called for the university to hold the women accountable.
Mead also addressed misinformation circulating online, clarifying that no members of the university's sorority community were involved in the incident. She urged people to be thoughtful about what they share, as sharing unverified information can cause additional harm.
The university has reached out to those targeted by the actions to provide information, resources, and support. The Daily Mississippian reported that the Black Student Union President Demetrick M. Stringer Jr. condemned the behavior and called for disciplinary action proportionate to race-based harassment.
The University Counseling Center and UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy are available for students needing support during this time.