In a disturbing incident at the University of Mississippi, graduate student Jaylin R. Smith was subjected to racist taunts by a group of young people, predominantly white men. The incident, captured on video, sparked outrage and led to the expulsion of a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity associated with the campus.

The video shows a defiant Smith standing strong as the crowd of taunters, some wearing American flag overalls, hurl abuse at her. Amidst the hostility, one person can be heard yelling, "tag me on that," suggesting a disturbing desire to be associated with the racist behavior.

Following the incident, it was confirmed on Monday that the fraternity member responsible for making ape sounds at Smith during the protest had been expelled from Phi Delta Theta. The student's name has not been made public, and the fraternity reiterated that the actions of the individual were not aligned with their values.

Smith, however, remained resilient in the face of the racist incident. In an interview with CNN, she declared that such taunting and vile behavior could not break her. "One thing that will never break me is people taunting me or making monkey noises at me," she stated firmly.

The University of Mississippi also responded swiftly to the incident, with Chancellor Glenn F. Boyce announcing an investigation into the behavior of at least one student involved in the harassment of the pro-Palestinian protestors. In a letter to students and staff, Boyce expressed deep concern over the offensive and unacceptable actions witnessed during the protest.

While privacy laws prevent the university from disclosing specific details, one student conduct investigation has been initiated. Authorities are actively working to determine if any further disciplinary action is warranted.

In the wake of the incident, U.S. Rep. Mike Collins faced criticism for praising the actions of the students in a social media post. However, Collins later clarified his stance, stating that if the individual involved is found guilty of racial misconduct, they should face appropriate punishment and seek forgiveness.

The incident is a troubling reminder of the prevalence of racism and the need for continued efforts to foster an inclusive and tolerant campus environment. The University of Mississippi has made it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated, and steps are being taken to ensure accountability and justice.

As the investigation progresses, the hope remains that incidents like these will serve as a catalyst for open dialogue and a renewed commitment to eradicating racism within academic institutions.