The University of Mississippi has launched an investigation following a disturbing incident in which a doorbell camera recorded two women engaging in racist harassment outside the apartment of freshman student Jakiyra Metcalf. The incident, which occurred on November 6 at approximately 8:37 P.M., has sparked significant public outcry and renewed concerns regarding the campus climate at the institution.
In the viral footage, two women are seen approaching the residence shared by Metcalf and two other Black students. One individual is observed jumping into view, beating her chest, and mimicking monkey noises, while a second woman moves closer to the camera to repeat the offensive gestures. A third person is visible in the background but does not appear to participate in the harassment, according to reports.
Metcalf brought the incident to light by sharing the clip on TikTok, where she directly tagged the university. “What do we have to say about this ??” she wrote in her post. She later revealed that the individuals involved are neighbors living in the unit above her, adding a layer of immediate safety concern to the situation. “We just found out they are our upstairs neighbors,” she noted, promising to provide updates as the situation develops.
In response to the growing scrutiny, the University of Mississippi issued a statement affirming its commitment to student safety. “We are committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors and will follow our processes to ensure the well-being and safety of our community,” the university stated, confirming that an investigation is currently underway.
While the university maintains a “Campus Climate Concern Form” to address incidents of alleged racial bias, intimidation, or threats, the institution clarifies that this team is not a disciplinary body. Instead, matters involving potential policy violations are typically referred to the student conduct office, campus police, or equal-opportunity officials. As of now, it remains unclear which specific office is handling the case or if any formal disciplinary action has been initiated.
This incident is particularly sensitive given the university’s history with similar controversies. In May 2024, a white counterprotester was recorded making similar racist gestures toward a Black graduate student during a campus demonstration, an event that resulted in the individual being removed from his fraternity and facing a student conduct investigation. As Metcalf waits for a resolution, her video continues to circulate, highlighting the ongoing challenges regarding racial harassment and accountability at the university.
