OLE MISS STUDENTS CAUGHT MAKING RACIST MONKEY GESTURES ON DOORBELL CAMERA — VIRAL VIDEO SPARKS OUTRAGE, AND ONE STUDENT HAS WITHDRAWN

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI — A disturbing doorbell camera recording outside an apartment occupied by three Black University of Mississippi students has ignited a national controversy, drawing millions of views and prompting calls for accountability across the Ole Miss community.

The footage, recorded on November 6, shows three young white women walking past the apartment entrance. Two of them appear to make monkey-like gestures and noises directly toward the Ring doorbell camera.

The apartment belongs to a group of three Black female students, making the incident particularly painful for the residents and their families.

Freshman Jakiyra Metcalf shared the recording on TikTok, where it quickly spread across social media, attracting more than 13 million views in just four days.

What happened after the video was discovered has sparked even more debate.

THE STUDENTS CONFRONTED THE WOMEN — AND THE APOLOGY DIDN’T FIX EVERYTHING

After watching the footage, the residents decided to approach the women and ask why they had behaved that way.

According to the students, one woman, identified as 18-year-old Alaina Kunes, apologized. However, they said the second woman continued making the gestures even while the apology was taking place.

Victoria Johnson, one of the residents, described the experience as deeply hurtful.

The students later spoke publicly about the incident, explaining that seeing the behavior directed toward their home left them feeling disrespected and shaken.

Although they acknowledged the apology, they made clear that an apology could not simply erase what had happened.

Kaiyden Caldwell said she appreciated the apology but emphasized that the experience remained devastating.

ONE STUDENT ISSUES A PUBLIC APOLOGY AND WITHDRAWS FROM OLE MISS

On November 10, Kunes released a public apology through her legal representatives.

She acknowledged that her actions were insensitive, inappropriate and deeply harmful.

Kunes also stated that she had not previously met the women and did not know their race before the incident.

She said she had apologized directly to them and intended to cooperate fully with the university’s investigation.

In another significant development, Kunes voluntarily withdrew from the University of Mississippi after issuing her statement.

She also revealed that she and her family had received dєatᩚh threats and online harassment, asking the public to respect their privacy.

The second woman seen making gestures in the footage has not publicly identified herself.

OLE MISS LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION

University officials responded by strongly condemning the behavior shown in the recording.

In an official statement, Ole Miss described the actions as offensive, hurtful and unacceptable, emphasizing that racism has no place in its campus community.

The university confirmed that the incident was under investigation and that officials had contacted the affected students to offer support and resources.

However, the school has not publicly disclosed whether additional disciplinary measures will be taken.

Student privacy laws prevent university officials from discussing individual student conduct cases or revealing specific disciplinary decisions.

A NATIONAL DEBATE OVER ACCOUNTABILITY AND FORGIVENESS

As the footage continued circulating online, the controversy expanded beyond the university.

Some students and parents called for stronger consequences, including suspension or expulsion, arguing that behavior involving racial harassment should not be dismissed as a simple youthful mistake.

Others warned against online harassment, dєatᩚh threats and attempts to publicly target individuals beyond the facts established about the incident.

The controversy has also brought renewed attention to the University of Mississippi’s complicated history with racial discrimination.

In 1962, James Meredith became the university’s first Black student following a landmark legal battle. His admission was met with violent resistance, including a diᩚadℓy riot on campus.

For the three women who were targeted, however, the issue is not simply about the university’s history. It is about being able to feel respected and safe in their own home today.

The university’s investigation remains ongoing.

And while one student has issued an apology and withdrawn from school, the affected women are still dealing with the emotional impact of what happened.

The question now remains: Is a public apology enough, or should the university impose further consequences?