University of Mississippi student apologizes after video with racist gestures goes viral

A student at the University of Mississippi apologized after a video of her and her friends making racist gestures towards Black students went viral.

A video caught by a ring doorbell went viral of students making monkey sounds and gestures towards the door of where Black students lived in off-campus housing.

“To the women I offended, and to the Ole Miss community, I sincerely apologize. Before the incident on November 6, I never met the women involved and was unaware of their race; however, I recognize my actions were insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful,” Ole Miss freshman Alaina Kunes said in a statement to WREG .

“I would have never intentionally made those noises or gestures toward a person of color. I have apologized to the women, and I pray they will forgive me. I can never truly understand the pain I have caused them, and it was never my intention,” Kunes added.

She said will be cooperating with the university’s investigation and is “committed to taking responsibility and learning from this embarrassing ordeal.”

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead said in a message they have reached out to the students impacted by the incident to “offer support, listen to their concerns, and connect them with available resources.

“The behavior depicted in this video is deeply troubling, hurtful, and unacceptable,” she added.

Mead said due to privacy laws individual names or any potential disciplinary action cannot be shared.