A University of Mississippi student has identified herself and issued a public apology after a doorbell camera video showing racially offensive gestures outside the apartment of three Black students sparked widespread outrage online.
Alaina Kunes was identified as one of the women captured in the footage recorded on November 6. The video shows three women walking past the apartment, with two appearing to make monkey-like gestures and noises near the doorbell camera.
The disturbing footage quickly went viral, attracting millions of views and prompting widespread condemnation from social media users.
In a statement released through her attorneys on November 10, Kunes apologised directly to the women involved and the wider Ole Miss community.
“To the women I offended and to the Ole Miss community, I sincerely apologize,” she said, acknowledging that her actions were “insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful”.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(599x0:601x2)/ole-miss-students-111106-c562c259589f4264966235c2811b3d52.jpg)
Kunes also claimed that she had not previously met the women and was unaware of their race before the incident. She insisted that she had never intended to direct the gestures or noises towards a person of colour.
She added that she hoped the women would eventually forgive her, while acknowledging that she could never fully understand the pain her actions had caused.
The student also revealed that her family had received threats and harassment following the video’s circulation. She asked for privacy while confirming her intention to cooperate fully with the university’s investigation.
According to reports, Kunes has since withdrawn from the University of Mississippi.
Meanwhile, the university strongly condemned the behaviour shown in the footage, describing it as deeply troubling, hurtful and unacceptable. Officials confirmed that an investigation had been launched and that support had been offered to the students affected.
The incident has reignited conversations about racism and accountability on college campuses, with the students at the centre of the controversy sharing how deeply the experience affected their sense of safety.
Although Kunes has issued an apology, the university’s investigation remains ongoing.
