Rogelio V. Solis/AP
The University of Mississippi says it has launched an investigation into student conduct after “conduct that conveyed hostility and racist overtones” occurred during campus demonstrations last week.
Video of Thursday’s protest circulating on social media showed violent confrontations between pro-Palestinian protesters and a much larger group of counter-protesters.
One video showed a black woman and a group of white male counter-protesters shouting at each other. In the video, a man imitates monkey sounds and dances to the woman, while others in the crowd chant “Lock her up!”
In a letter to students and faculty the next day, university president Glenn Boyce said “university leaders are aware that some of the comments were offensive, hurtful and unacceptable” and have taken action against a student for his actions. Launch an investigation. “We are working to determine if additional cases are warranted,” he added.
“Behavior and speech that demeans people because of their race or ethnicity marginalizes them and undermines fundamental values of citizenship and a safe society,” Boyce wrote.
In a statement on Saturday, fraternity Phi Delta Theta said it removed a member from the school’s Mississippi Alpha chapter who was responsible for “racist behavior in the video,” which it said was inconsistent with its values. Going in the opposite direction.
Student government leaders said in a letter on Friday that “unacceptable comments were made that were contrary to our cherished values” during the protests.
For many, the moment was a dark reminder of the University of Mississippi’s racist history. Efforts to eliminate racial segregation have been ongoing for decades. Its former mascot was a plantation owner named Colonel Rebellious. In recent years, the university has moved to remove Confederate symbols that have long been intertwined with school and state pride.
Boyce acknowledged the school’s past.
“While we are a modern university with a vibrant community of more than 25,000 people, it is important to acknowledge our challenging history and events like this could set us back,” he said. “This is one of the reasons we do not take it lightly and allow the unacceptable behavior of a few to represent our institution or define us.”