The University of Mississippi has launched a conduct investigation into a group of students who harassed a pro-Palestine protester on campus last week. A viral video showed a group of white men taunting a lone Black woman, with some making racist gestures and chants.
Chancellor Glenn Boyce condemned the behavior, stating that it contained “hostility and racist overtones” and that such actions would not be tolerated on campus. The incident is part of a larger wave of campus demonstrations across the country, with pro-Palestine protesters often being outnumbered by counterprotesters.
The university’s response has been criticized by some, with Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) sharing the video and commenting that it showed “Ole Miss taking care of business.”
The NAACP has filed a complaint against Collins, demanding an Ethics Committee investigation into his conduct. The organization argues that Collins’ actions legitimize and propagate racism, undermining the principles of equality and justice.
The incident adds to the university’s complex and troubled history with race. In 1962, deadly riots broke out when the university first enrolled a Black student, and the school has long been associated with Confederate imagery.
The university’s nickname is also derived from a racist term associated with slavery. The NAACP has condemned Collins’ behavior as “shameful” and “reprehensible,” and has called for accountability.
