Louisiana State University (LSU) is investigating viral footage that appears to show a white student dragging a dark-skinned baby doll by a rope through the LSU Student Union, prompting questions online about what the students were doing and whether the incident involved hazing. The video, which began circulating on social media this week, shows two young women walking through the LSU Student Union.
One of the women appears to be white and pulls a Black or dark-skinned doll along the floor with a rope attached around its neck. The footage reportedly was recorded Wednesday, Aug. 19, at about 12:43 p.m., according to information attributed to a student who witnessed the incident and sent the video to her mother.
LSU has acknowledged the viral footage and is investigating the incident, according to WDSU. The university has not publicly announced disciplinary action or identified the students involved.
A woman claiming to be the mother of one of the students explains
A woman who identifies herself on Facebook as the mother of the Black student who appears alongside the woman pulling the doll has explained the incident. She said the doll belonged to her daughter. She reportedly said her daughter received the doll about a year ago and had previously mentioned plans to bring it around campus.
She also reportedly said she did not know what her daughter and her friend planned to do with the doll. According to the account, the students told her they were trying to be funny and did not intend the activity to carry a racist meaning. She said she instructed them to speak with their resident adviser, apologize and get rid of the doll.
The university has not publicly confirmed the students’ identities. Neither has it confirmed the mother’s account or the students’ explanation for the incident.
Sorority hazing theory goes viral.
One of the most frequently discussed theories online involves sorority hazing. Commenters have speculated that the activity could have been an initiation ritual or another Greek-life activity.
Other theories have circulated as well, including claims that the students were conducting a social experiment or making a statement about abortion policy. Those explanations also remain unverified. Social media commenters have offered several versions of what the students may have intended, but LSU has not confirmed them.
The university says hazing is illegal and strictly prohibited. LSU states that hazing allegations can lead to student-conduct proceedings, while Louisiana law can impose criminal penalties.
Published: Aug 22, 2026 11:15 am