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Ole Miss student Alaina Kunes issues apology after racist viral video
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The woman at the center of a racist doorbell camera scandal has apologized for her actions and given an excuse for her behavior.
Alaina Kunes was captured on camera footage - which then went viral - making racist gestures outside the home of three black Ole Miss students.
Alaina Kunes apologizes after racist gesture footage goes worldwide
There was widespread outrage after the video circulated online, and the University of Mississippi has since confirmed that Kunes is ‘no longer a student’ but it is not clear whether she was removed from the university or she withdrew.
Now, Kunes has spoken out about her behavior and the resulting backlash.
Giving a statement to Action News 5, the young woman said that her actions were ‘insensitive, inappropriate and deeply harmful’.
Most people who saw the video agreed on that front.
Kunes was the first of three white women who could be seen in the video walking past the door of the apartment.
In the footage, two of the women appeared to make monkey gestures as they passed the door, also making monkey noises as well.
The second woman has yet to be identified and has not come forward.
Alaina Kunes released a statement about her actions
In her full statement, Kunes said: “I would have never intentionally made those noises or gestures toward a person of color,
“I have apologized to the women and I pray they will forgive me.”
“I can never truly understand the pain I have caused them and it was never my intention,
“These girls deserve to feel seen and understood and what I did is not a reflection of who I am trying to become.”
She went on to say that she has been harrassed and received death threats since the incident, and added: “As I intend to cooperate fully with the University’s investigation, I ask for privacy for my family,
“I understand the seriousness of this situation and remain committed to taking responsibility and learning from this embarrassing ordeal.”
The video was given to the news by the daughter of Tasha Bolton, who shared the footage in outrage at the behavior outside her child’s apartment.
Ole Miss condemend the actions in the video in a statement on Sunday and said that it had reached out to those targeted with offers of support, resources and information.
The incident remains under investigation.
The Bolton family has employed an attorney and has indicated a desire to make a statement, although that has not yet been released.