The University of Mississippi has launched a formal investigation into an incident involving white students making monkey noises and gestures outside an off-campus apartment occupied by Black students. The incident, captured on a Ring doorbell camera, has circulated widely on social media, drawing national attention and prompting a swift response from university officials.
"deeply troubling, hurtful, and unacceptable." Shawnboda Mead, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of Mississippi
The recording, which dates to a Friday night, shows three white female students walking past an apartment door. Two of the individuals are seen making monkey noises and gestures directed toward the residence. Jakiyra Metcalf, a Black student who shares the apartment with two other Black female students, discovered the footage and subsequently shared it online. The video quickly went viral, accumulating over 11.5 million views on TikTok alone, and was reported by local television stations and national outlets, including The New York Post on November 8.
Upon the video's widespread dissemination, Metcalf publicly demanded answers from the university regarding the behavior of the students, whom she identified as her upstairs neighbors. The University of Mississippi, commonly known as Ole Miss, confirmed it had opened an investigation into the matter.
Shawnboda Mead, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Ole Miss, issued a statement addressing the incident. She characterized the actions depicted in the video as "deeply troubling, hurtful, and unacceptable." Mead further emphasized that such behavior is inconsistent with the institution's core principles. "This behavior does not reflect our university’s values or the kind of community we strive to be every day," her statement read.
The university has committed to a thorough and fair review process. Mead confirmed that Ole Miss is actively investigating the incident and is dedicated to following its established protocols. "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 stated. The university has also reached out to the Black students who were the targets of the offensive actions to offer support and address their concerns.
The investigation is reportedly multifaceted, with Complex reporting that the university has initiated two separate inquiries into the matter. As of now, the names of the three women in the video have not been publicly released by the university, nor has any information regarding potential disciplinary actions they may face been disclosed. The university's statement concluded with a firm stance against prejudice: "Racism and actions that disparage people because of an aspect of their identity have no place in our campus community."
This incident is not an isolated occurrence on the Ole Miss campus. In May 2024, the Phi Delta Theta fraternity removed a member after he was filmed making monkey noises and gestures toward a Black protester during a campus demonstration. That previous event also drew significant scrutiny and highlighted ongoing challenges related to racial insensitivity and harassment within the university community. The current investigation underscores the university's continued efforts to address and mitigate such incidents, reinforcing its commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all students. The Ring camera footage provides a permanent record of the recent episode, which, combined with the neighbor connection and the university's public statements, forms the basis of the ongoing review.
