Ole Miss student apologizes after video shows racist gestures toward Black roommates

An 18-year-old University of Mississippi student, Alaina Kunes, released a statement apologizing for a video captured on Nov. 6 that showed her and another white woman making monkey-like sounds and hand gestures outside an apartment occupied by three Black freshmen. The footage, recorded by a doorbell camera, quickly spread on TikTok, amassing more than 12 million views.

Kunes said she had never met the women before the incident and was unaware of their race, but acknowledged that her actions were “insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful.” She expressed remorse to the women and the campus community, thanked authorities for their assistance after her family received threats, and asked for privacy while she cooperates with the university’s investigation.

University of Mississippi Vice Chancellor Shawnboda Mead described the video as “deeply troubling,” calling the behavior “hurtful” and “unacceptable,” and affirmed that the matter is being taken seriously despite student-privacy constraints.

The three Black students—Jakiyra Metcalf, Kaiyden Caldwell and Victoria Johnson—appeared on a national morning program, where Metcalf confirmed that she and Johnson later confronted Kunes and the other woman. Caldwell said the apology did not erase the impact of the incident.

The university has not disclosed any disciplinary outcomes, citing privacy laws.