Ole Miss investigates after students seen in racist viral video - The Independent
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Ole Miss is investigating after a video showing white students making racist gestures toward the home of a Black students went viral on social media over the weekend.
Ring doorbell footage shared on TikTok Friday by Ole Miss student Jakiyra Metcalf showed three white women walking past her apartment door. As the women passed, two of them made monkey- or ape-like noises and gestures while looking directly at the camera.
The student’s mother, Tasha Bolton, also shared the footage on Facebook and called on the university to discipline the students involved.
“My daughter sent me this video from her Ring camera at her apartment. She’s a freshman at the University of Mississippi. She has 2 black roommates. The girls on the video live upstairs from them,” she wrote.
“The video has been shared with university administration, and we want answers. Specifically, what steps will be taken to address this behavior and ensure accountability?” she continued.
The mother then called the actions “disgusting and unacceptable,” noting, “college is supposed to be a place where young adults can learn, grow, and feel safe.”
The University of Mississippi’s Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead condemned the behavior depicted in the video in a statement issued Sunday.
“Over the weekend, a video circulated on social media showing University of Mississippi students engaging in racist gestures directed toward other students,” Mead wrote.
“The behavior depicted in this video is deeply troubling, hurtful, and unacceptable. 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 of Mississippi’s Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct and Equal Opportunity and Regulatory Compliance are investigating the matter, Mead said.
“We are committed to following our established processes to ensure a thorough review while prioritizing the safety and well-being of our campus community,” she added.
If any disciplinary action takes place, the university will not publicize it due to student privacy laws. However, she emphasized that the university was taking the matter seriously.
Mead also warned that at least one student accused of being involved in the incident was actually misidentified.
“To be clear, no members of our sorority community were involved. Sharing unverified information can cause additional harm to people who had nothing to do with what occurred,” she said.
“Every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued at the University of Mississippi. Racism and actions that disparage people because of an aspect of their identity have no place in our campus community,” Mead wrote. “We remain committed to ensuring our actions reflect the foundational values of dignity and respect for every individual and fostering an environment where all students are cared for and feel they belong.”
