What to Know
Sadly, in 2026, we still see racism every single day in the United States. People don’t hide their feelings, and some seem almost proud of their abhorrent behavior. Of course, some attempt to hide their racist ways, but they seem to forget that we’re living in a world where there are cameras everywhere. If they slip up and someone records it and uploads their true colors to the internet, it could mean the end of their life as they know it.
Three white students at the University of Mississippi made themselves the most-watched coeds on TikTok after Jakiyra Meltcalf, a Black freshman at Ole Miss, shared her Ring doorbell footage. The video went viral and has nearly 13 million views. Alaina Kunes, one of the young women in the footage, stepped forward to apologize, but not everyone is ready to move on.
Metcalf had every right to be upset.
In the 13-second clip posted on November 6, 2026, three female college students walk past Metcalf’s off-campus apartment. The first two women look directly into the camera and appear to make sounds and gestures like a monkey. The third just walks past without participating in the others’ fun. Metcalf’s video went viral very quickly with nearly 38,000 comments and 1 million likes. Many people attempted to identify the women in the video. One of the women, Alaina Kunes, stepped forward to apologize.
Kunes admitted to making the appalling sounds and gestures.
In a statement shared with WMC, Kunes, the first woman seen in the video, apologized to Metcalf and said she would cooperate fully with the university’s investigation. Kunes called her actions “insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful.” Her statement seemed to suggest that she and her friends did not know who lived in the apartment.
“I would have never intentionally made those noises or gestures toward a person of color,” she explained. “I have apologized to the women, and I pray they will forgive me.”
Kunes added that she would never intentionally hurt anyone.
“These girls deserve to feel seen and understood, and what I did is not a reflection of who I am trying to become.”
Ariel Streeter, an Ole Miss freshman, found herself underwhelmed by Kunes’ apology.
“I was like, ‘Wow, this is really happening,’” she told WMC. “It’s kind of scary a little bit; it can happen right now to me or somebody. It’s more awareness, like dang, this is what really goes on.”
The university released a statement regarding the incident.
University of Mississippi Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead shared disappointment in the actions of the students involved, but assured the university will thoroughly investigate the situation.
“We are committed to following our established processes to ensure a thorough review while prioritizing the safety and well-being of our campus community. While student privacy laws limit what we can share about individual students, including any potential disciplinary action, please know that this matter is being taken seriously,” the statement reads in part.
Kunes asked for privacy for her family.
The Ole Miss student requested privacy, but it appears the Kunes family is no stranger to racist behavior. Per WMC, Wisconsin-based Kunes Auto Group has had multiple complaints against it in the past. Attorney William Sulton represents two clients currently involved in lawsuits against the family business.
“My office has been inundated with complaints about racism and other consumer rights issues since the Makayla Starks incident in 2025, where she had a sticker with the N-word printed on it,” said Sulton.
The attorney added that the allegations didn’t shock him.
“My initial reaction was, I guess I am not surprised that she was connected to a family with a reputation for discriminatory behavior. Because discrimination is learned from parents and family. It’s not something you’re born with,” he said.
The incident remains under investigation.
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