Ole Miss student issues public apology after viral video captures racist gestures toward Black students

The apology comes days after doorbell camera footage showing students making monkey noises and gestures outside an apartment occupied by three Black students sparked national outrage.

An Ole Miss student who was captured on a doorbell camera making monkey noises and gestures outside an apartment occupied by three Black students has issued a public apology following widespread backlash over the viral footage.

Alaina Kunes, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Mississippi, released a statement Tuesday, Nov. 10, acknowledging that her actions were offensive and caused harm to the women who lived in the apartment.

“To the women I offended and to the Ole Miss community, I sincerely apologize,” Kunes said in a statement issued through her attorney, according to CBS 58.

Kunes said she had never met the women before the Nov. 6 incident and claimed she was unaware of their race. She nevertheless acknowledged that her behavior was inappropriate.

“I recognize my actions were insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful,” she said, adding that she would never intentionally make those noises or gestures toward a person of color.

“I have apologized to the women and I pray they will forgive me,” Kunes continued. “These girls deserve to feel seen and understood.”

The footage, which circulated widely on social media over the weekend, shows three women walking past an apartment door. Two appear to turn toward the doorbell camera and make monkey-like noises and gestures. The apartment is home to a Black Ole Miss freshman and her two roommates.

The video sparked outrage, with many pointing to the long history of racist comparisons between Black people and monkeys. The incident also renewed conversations about the experiences of Black students at predominantly white institutions.

Kunes also addressed the backlash directed at her and her family, saying they had received death threats and harassment in recent days. She thanked authorities for working to ensure their safety and requested privacy for her family.

Meanwhile, the University of Mississippi says its investigation remains ongoing. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead condemned the behavior, emphasizing that racism and actions targeting people because of their identity have no place in the campus community.

“Every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued at the University of Mississippi,” Mead said.

The university has not publicly announced the outcome of its investigation, but according to Memphis’ Action News 5, the University of Mississippi confirmed that Kunes is no longer a student at the school, though it was unclear whether she withdrew on her own or was removed.