Ole Miss probes viral video of racist gestures at student apartment
Vice Chancellor Shawnboda Mead calls the behavior deeply troubling as the university investigates an incident involving two unidentified white students.
By Ella Cox ·
The University of Mississippi is investigating a viral video that shows two students making racist gestures outside a Black student's apartment.
The incident stems from a doorbell camera clip captured around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026. The footage depicts three white females walking past an apartment door. Two of the women beat their chests and make monkey noises while passing the entrance. This specific gesture mirrors an action performed by a male student in May 2024 toward a Black female protester.
Jakiyra Metcalf, a Black Ole Miss student, posted the clip to TikTok. She shares the apartment with two other Black students. Metcalf identified the women in the video as her upstairs neighbors. Her caption asked the community what to say about the incident and tagged the university. The video gained traction on social media over the weekend, prompting a formal university response by Monday.
Ole Miss Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead addressed the situation in a statement. She described the behavior as deeply troubling, hurtful, and unacceptable. Mead said the actions do not reflect the university's values or the type of community it strives to maintain. The Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct, along with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Regulatory Compliance, is currently assessing the video.
University officials have contacted the students affected by the gestures to offer support and connect them with resources. Mead emphasized that every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued. She stated that racism and actions disparaging people based on identity have no place in the campus community.
Officials are urging the public to avoid spreading misinformation regarding the incident. Mead confirmed that one student was incorrectly identified as being involved. She also clarified that no members of any Ole Miss sorority were part of the group in the video.
The investigation is ongoing as the university reviews the footage and determines next steps for the students involved.
