The University of Mississippi is investigating after a viral video shared on social media showed White students making racist gestures toward the home of several Black students.
Ole Miss freshman Jakiyra Metcalf posted 13 seconds of Ring doorbell footage on TikTok on Friday, Nov. 6. The recording, timestamped about 8:37 p.m., shows three White women walking past the door of the off-campus apartment Metcalf shares with two other Black women. Two of the women made monkey- or ape-like noises and gestures while staring directly into the camera. A third woman walked behind them but did not appear to join in, according to the footage. Metcalf later said she and her roommates learned the women are their upstairs neighbors. The clip spread quickly, reaching millions of views.
On Sunday, Nov. 8, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead issued a letter saying the university is investigating. "Over the weekend, a video circulated on social media showing University of Mississippi students engaging in racist gestures directed toward other students. 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," Mead wrote.
The investigation is being handled by the university's Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct and its Office of Equal Opportunity and Regulatory Compliance. "We are committed to following our established processes to ensure a thorough review while prioritizing the safety and well-being of our campus community," Mead wrote.
Mead also warned against misinformation. She said at least one student accused of being involved online was actually misidentified, and that no members of the university's sorority community were involved. "Sharing unverified information can cause additional harm to people who had nothing to do with what occurred," she said.
If any disciplinary action results, the university will not share it publicly. Mead cited student privacy laws and said, "please know that this matter is being taken seriously." As of Monday, Nov. 9, no disciplinary outcome had been announced.
Metcalf's mother, Tasha Bolton, also posted the video on Facebook, saying the footage had been shared with university administration. "We want answers. Specifically, what steps will be taken to address this behavior and ensure accountability?" she wrote.
The university pointed students toward support services, including the University Counseling Center and UMatter: Student Support and Advocacy.
The footage arrives two years after a similar incident drew scrutiny at Ole Miss. In May 2024, a white counterprotester was recorded making monkey noises and gestures toward a Black graduate student during a campus demonstration. His fraternity removed him, and the university opened a student conduct investigation.
Why it matters: the conduct in this case happened at the students' home, where avoiding the people in the recording may not be simple. Comparisons of Black people to monkeys and apes have long been used in racist propaganda to dehumanize Black communities. The university's investigation is now the test of whether its stated values carry consequences.
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