One of the Ole Miss students who made racially offensive gestures in a viral doorbell camera video is no longer enrolled at the university.
The video in question was posted to the social media platform TikTok by Ole Miss student Jakiyra Metcalf and was captured around 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 6. It depicts three white females walking by an apartment door. Two of the females beat their chests and made monkey-sounding noises, a gesture eerily similar to the one a white male Ole Miss student directed at a Black female who was protesting the war in Gaza in May 2024.
Since the footage took social media by storm and became a national news story, one of the females in the video has issued an apology. Freshman Alaina Kunes, who is no longer enrolled at Ole Miss, went through Chicago firm Gardiner Koch Weisberg & Wrona Law to speak out about the incident.
Kunes, a native of Wisconsin, said she had neither met the Black students in the apartment unit where the video was captured nor was she aware of their race. She further acknowledged that her actions were offensive and asked for forgiveness.
“To the women I offended, and to the Ole Miss community, I sincerely apologize,” Kunes stated. “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. 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. These girls deserve to feel seen and understood, and what I did is not a reflection of who I am trying to become.”
Ole Miss officials have confirmed that the university is investigating the video. Kunes, though no longer a student at Ole Miss, plans to fully cooperate with the investigation. She added that, since the video went viral, she and her family have received death threats.
“Over the past several days, my family and I have received death threats and harassment. I am grateful for the authorities working to ensure our safety. As I intend to cooperate fully with the University’s investigation, I ask for privacy for my family,” Kunes stated. “I understand the seriousness of this situation and remain committed to taking responsibility and learning from this embarrassing ordeal.”
Ole Miss Chancellor Glenn Boyce confirmed Thursday that the university’s investigation is “moving forward.” University leadership met with the students involved in the incident and their families. He ensured action would be taken to hold wrongdoers accountable, but noted that the public will likely not be notified about disciplinary action due to federal privacy laws.
“Upon learning about the incident on the evening of Friday, Nov. 6, our staff responded quickly, providing care and resources. We met with the students and their families to discuss our processes, and I can confirm that the university investigation is moving forward,” Boyce wrote in a letter to the school community. “We believe in holding students accountable through established processes.”
While Kunes said she and her family have been harassed, some have seized the opportunity to capitalize on the incident’s notoriety for social media clout. Right-wing social media influencer Jake Lang made a trip to Oxford, where he outwardly defended the females’ actions in the student union. He also recorded himself in a gorilla mask in front of an apartment unit.
Boyce acknowledged the influencer’s actions, calling the behavior “racist and detestable.” The chancellor added that, though Ole Miss is obligated to uphold First Amendment free speech rights on campus, the university will use its platform to speak out against hate.
“As a public institution, we are committed to supporting First Amendment rights,” Boyce continued. “At the same time, we vehemently denounce this person’s behavior, which does not align with our campus values. This individual’s actions were an obvious attempt to antagonize and offend our students, and in the face of bigotry, I am proud of the way our students demonstrated integrity and resolve.”