For many Black college students, attending a university means more than earning a degree. It’s also about finding a community where they feel comfortable, supported, and safe. But a recent incident at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) has raised concerns about how welcoming those spaces really are. On November 6, two white students were caught on a Ring doorbell camera making racist monkey gestures and noises outside the apartment of Black students. The three women affected later spoke with CBS News about their experience and the impact it had on them. Although one of the women involved has since apologized and withdrawn from the university, the incident raises a bigger question: What happens after an apology, and how can schools make sure students aren’t left dealing with racism on their own?
This isn’t the first time Ole Miss has faced controversy involving racism. The university has a long history of racial discrimination, including the violent opposition to James Meredith becoming its first Black student in 1962. As highlighted by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, Meredith’s enrollment was met with violent resistance, showing just how far people were willing to go to prevent the university from integrating. More than six decades later, incidents like this are a reminder that progress doesn’t mean racism has disappeared from college campuses.
While the campus has come a long way since then, incidents like this show why conversations about racism in education are still necessary. An apology may acknowledge wrongdoing, but it doesn’t automatically undo the harm or address the concerns of students who no longer feel comfortable in their own living spaces. Schools have a responsibility to do more than condemn these incidents publicly. According to the U.S. Department of Education, schools that know or should know about possible discriminatory harassment must take appropriate steps to determine what happened and address any unlawful hostile environment.
Students should also know that they have options when experiencing racial harassment. Whether it’s a racist comment, threatening behavior, or an incident caught on video, keeping a record of what happened can be helpful when making a report. At Ole Miss, students can submit a Campus Climate Concern report to bring attention to bias-related incidents and receive information about available support. Students at other institutions can also contact their school’s student affairs or civil rights office and learn about filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. Speaking up can be difficult, especially when students are worried about retaliation or being dismissed, but knowing where to turn is an important first step.
At the National Black Cultural Information Trust, Inc. (NBCIT), we believe no student should have to question whether they belong on campus because of their race. What happened at the University of Mississippi should encourage universities everywhere to take a closer look at how they respond when students report discrimination. It should also remind us that the responsibility to address racism shouldn’t fall entirely on the people experiencing it. We encourage students, faculty, and community members to take these incidents seriously, support those who speak out, and hold their institutions accountable for how they respond. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn and enjoy their college experience without being subjected to racial harassment.
