Ole Miss investigates viral video of racist gestures near student apartment
Three white women are seen making monkey noises outside an off-campus home shared by Black students, prompting a formal university review.
By Samir Doyle ·
The University of Mississippi is actively investigating a video that shows three white women making racist gestures outside an off-campus apartment in Oxford. The clip, captured by a Ring doorbell camera, went viral on social media on Saturday and has drawn sharp criticism from the student body and visitors. The apartment is shared by Tasha Bolton’s daughter, an African American freshman, and two other Black students.
In the footage, the three women walk past the front door of the residence. Two of them appear to make monkey noises as they pass. The video belongs to Bolton, who reached out to local news outlets to share the clip. Bolton said she does not want to speak publicly until she has spoken with university officials.
Ole Miss issued a statement on Sunday confirming it is aware of the incident. The university described the behavior as offensive, hurtful, and unacceptable. It stated that the actions conflict with university values and that the institution has contacted the targeted students to offer resources and support. The statement noted that the case is under review by the appropriate offices.
Sophomore Olivia Landgreve, who does not live in the apartment, said the video was upsetting because she had not experienced such treatment before. She expressed concern that the incident could reverse the progress the campus has made. “I like to think that people don’t see me like that. I’m just a person like everybody else is,” Landgreve said. She added that the video made her feel unsettled while walking on campus.
Jamie Purcell, a visitor from California, watched the clip after news media showed it to her. Purcell called the behavior disgusting and said the women were acting incorrectly. She noted that the incident was something people should know better than to do.
The university stated that student conduct cases, records, and potential disciplinary actions are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. The institution said it is committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The university will follow its established processes to ensure the well-being of its community.
