Criticism of Racist Incident at University of Mississippi Protest

During a heated confrontation at the University of Mississippi this week, a black pro-Palestine protester was called “Lizzo” by a group of white protesters and subjected to racist insults comparing her to a monkey. The disturbing incident unfolded on Thursday, as tensions between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel factions on campus escalated when a group of men targeted a black woman on the Palestinian side of the conflict. She stood alone, filming everything, while the men, most of them white, repeatedly insulted her about her weight, invoking the name of Lizzo and calling her derogatory terms, in addition to other explicit insults.

Racist Gestures and Praise by Representative Mike Collins

At one point, from a distance and without any physical contact, one of the boys was seen making monkey gestures to mock her. Of course, the gesture is incredibly racist and has been met with great outrage, with many suggesting that these boys were there simply to antagonize and showcase their intolerance during the protests. Watching these videos, it certainly feels that way. What’s even more outrageous is that Representative Mike Collins, a U.S. Congressman from Georgia, shared the same video and praised the Ole Miss boys, saying they were “handling the situation.” The university itself had something to say about the altercation: “There were statements made at the demonstration on our campus Thursday that were offensive and inappropriate. Any action that violates university policy will be met with appropriate action.”

Response and Ongoing Concerns

Fortunately, the protests at Ole Miss on Thursday were mostly peaceful, with no arrests or injuries reported. However, police were on alert. Similar incidents have been occurring across the country, but in many of those cases, things have turned violent quickly. It is crucial to address and condemn such racist behavior and language, especially in the context of peaceful protests where individuals should feel safe to express their beliefs without fear of discrimination or harassment. Universities and law enforcement must take swift and appropriate action to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in such demonstrations.