Ole Miss probes viral video of students mimicking monkeys outside Black peer's door
Three white female students face a university investigation after footage of them imitating monkeys near a Black student's apartment building gained over 12 million views on social media.
By Jack Weber ·
The University of Mississippi is investigating a viral video that shows three white female students standing outside the apartment of a Black student. Footage from a Ring doorbell camera, captured Friday evening, depicts two of the women stepping toward the lens while beating their chests and making grunting and cooing sounds. A third woman stands nearby, glancing at the camera, but does not appear to make gestures or noises. The video was posted to TikTok over the weekend by Jakiyra Metcalf, one of the Black students living in the apartment. By early Monday afternoon, the clip had been viewed more than 12 million times.
Vice Chancellor Shawnboda Mead said in a Monday statement that the incident is being actively investigated by appropriate university offices. The office stated that staff have reached out to the impacted students to offer support and connect them with resources. Mead added that the university believes every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued. The statement explicitly noted that racism and actions disparaging people based on identity have no place in the campus community.
The university confirmed to ABC News that the women in the video are enrolled students. However, officials said they would not reveal whether disciplinary action has been taken, citing protections under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA. In a separate statement to ABC News, the university condemned the behavior as offensive, hurtful, and unacceptable. The administration said it has shared information and support with those targeted by the actions.
Tasha Bolton, the mother of one of the Black students living in the apartment, said the women seen in the video live in the unit directly above her daughter. Bolton posted online that she wants answers regarding the steps the university will take to ensure accountability. She described the incident as disgusting and unacceptable, arguing that college should be a place where young adults can learn and feel safe. Metcalf told ABC News that she and the other residents are expected to meet with university officials on Monday.
This incident follows a similar event at the university in 2024, when a white student directed monkey gestures at a Black woman protesting the war in Gaza. That student was later expelled from his fraternity. Chancellor Glenn F. Boyce addressed the 2024 incident in an email, stating that while the university supports First Amendment rights, some individuals acted in ways that conflicted with university values. Boyce wrote that behaviors demeaning people by race or ethnicity marginalize them and undermine civil society.
The university has not announced a timeline for the completion of the current investigation. No specific charges have been filed yet, and the students have not spoken publicly about the incident since the video circulated. The administration continues to gather information before determining the next steps in the conduct process.
