Ole Miss freshman withdraws after viral video shows racist taunts outside Black students' apartment

Key points

• Alaina Kunes, an 18-year-old Ole Miss freshman, voluntarily withdrew from the university on Tuesday after issuing a public apology for the incident.
• The video, posted to TikTok by freshman Jakiyra Metcalf, shows two women making monkey sounds and beating their chests outside Metcalf's apartment on November 6.
• Kunes stated in her apology that she was unaware of the residents' race prior to the incident but acknowledged her actions were insensitive and harmful.
• The targeted students, including Metcalf, Victoria Johnson, and Kaiyden Caldwell, said they plan to remain at the university but expressed that the apology did not erase the hurt caused by the incident.
• University officials, including Vice Chancellor Shawnboda Mead, condemned the behavior and confirmed they are investigating the incident while offering support to the affected students.

Background

The University of Mississippi has a history of racial incidents, including a noose hung around a statue of its first Black student in 2014 and monkey noises directed at a Black protester during a pro-Palestine demonstration in 2024. This incident follows a pattern of racial harassment allegations at the institution, though the current case has drawn significant national attention due to the viral nature of the footage.

How outlets are covering it

CBS News and The Guardian highlight the emotional impact on the targeted students, noting that while Kunes apologized, the victims felt the incident remained 'devastating' and 'hurtful.' ABC News and The New York Times focus on the procedural response, emphasizing the university's investigation and Kunes's withdrawal. The Guardian notes that Kunes's family faced death threats, a detail omitted by other outlets. CBS News reports that the second woman in the video doubled down on the gestures off-camera, a detail not mentioned in the other sources.

Why it matters

The incident highlights ongoing issues of racial harassment on college campuses and the role of social media in amplifying such incidents. The university's response and the public backlash underscore the tension between accountability and privacy in cases involving student misconduct.

What to watch

The university is expected to continue its investigation into the incident, though it has not disclosed specific disciplinary actions for the second woman in the video. The targeted students have indicated they will remain at the university, while Kunes has withdrawn. The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi is reviewing complaints related to the incident.