Internet backs Phi Delta Theta’s move to expel Ole Miss student James Staples for mocking Black protester

LAFAYETTE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI: University of Mississippi's fraternity Phi Delta Theta has taken action against a student, identified as James Pearson Staples of Texas, who engaged in alleged racist behavior toward a Black pro-Palestine protester.

Staples faced expulsion from the fraternity after a video of him making monkey noises at the protester went viral.

The video ignited a storm of fury on social media, with many calling for consequences for the man's actions.

Former President Donald Trump even used the clip in an ad for his campaign, which led to significant backlash.

Phi Delta Theta fraternity kicks out student who made monkey noises 

According to the Daily Beast, a University of Mississippi student caught on camera mocking a Black pro-Palestine protester with monkey noises has been expelled from his fraternity after the video gained traction on social media.

Phi Delta Theta, the student's fraternity, released a statement on Sunday, May 5, confirming his removal from the organization.

The fraternity's statement read, “Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters is aware of the video regarding the student protest at the University of Mississippi. The racist actions in the video were those of an individual and are antithetical to the values of Phi Delta Theta and the Mississippi Alpha chapter. The responsible individual was removed from membership on Friday, May 3."

University of Mississippi NAACP College Chapter releases names of hecklers

Staples and others who took part in racially-charged mockery were identified by the UM NAACP. The organization even made their names and the targetted woman's name public amid the public outry against the Ole Miss students. 

The University of Mississippi NAACP College Chapter posted on Instagram, Sunday, May 5, calling for the explosion of two students they identified from the video apart from Staples - Connor Moore Jr of Indianola, from the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity, and Rouse Davis Bouce of Flora, from the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity, according to the Oxford Eagle.

This announcement from the fraternity came shortly after the university initiated a student conduct investigation following the racist encounter during the counterprotest.

In a campus-wide letter on Friday, May 3, Chancellor Glenn Boyce stated, “While student privacy laws prohibit us from commenting on any specific student, we have opened one student conduct investigation. We are working to determine whether more cases are warranted."

During the incident, Staples, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in real estate and finance at the University of Mississippi, directed racial slurs at a Black female protester who was separated from the main protest group.

Video footage of the encounter, where a predominantly White male counter-protest group mocked her with taunts, calling her "Lizzo" (the singer) and making monkey noises at her, circulated widely on social media platforms.

Internet reacts to James Staples' expulsion

James Staples came in for scathing criticism on social media after he was identified. For now he has disabled all his social media channels to prevent further intrusion in his life. Online sleuths, however, have dug up information on his family history, in a bid to shame him further. 

After the fraternity's decision was announced, social media users took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to laud the decision and further vent their anger on Staples.

A user wrote, "Ole Miss needs to kick him out entirely."

Another user wrote, "May it be only the beginning of the consequences he faces for his disgusting behavior."

A user commented, "Good! Hold racists accountable!!"

Another user called the action against Staples "Progress".

One comment read, "When he is kicked OUT OF SCHOOL, I will be impressed."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.