Latest news with #Tougaloo
Black America Web
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Black America Web
Tougaloo College Reports Threats After Rep. Jasmine Crockett Gives Commencement Speech Comparing Trump To Jim Crow
Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE Source: Tommaso Boddi / Getty Administrators at Tougaloo College, in Jackson, Mississippi, have contacted law enforcement over threats the school allegedly received, all because Rep. Jasmine Crockett gave a commencement speech there and told the truth about President Donald Trump and his administration's disastrous (and probably intentional) impact on civil rights and Black people. According to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, Crockett's speech last Sunday drew parallels between the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and the social and political climate under the current federal administration, which has made more than a habit out of defunding or threatening to defund any institution that promotes non-whitewashed Black history or any other 'improper ideology' that makes Trump's orangey-white fragility stand up on its end. From the Ledger: After acknowledging Anne Moody and Memphis Norman, Tougaloo students who played pivotal roles in the 1963 Woolworth's sit-in in Jackson, Crockett mentioned President Donald Trump specifically. 'Sadly enough, in the year of our Lord 2025, sitting in these very classrooms is just as much of a protest as Anne and Memphis pulling up to Woolworths in 1963,' Crockett said. 'It's the paradox and parallels for me. … As I stand here in this safe space, still only one of the few places that an institution can invite me to speak.' Crockett paused as she looked to the audience for a response. 'Okay, so that went over some of y'all's heads, but my 50-year grads understood what I was putting down,' Crockett continued, pointing to the Class of 1975 members who were honored Sunday for their 50th anniversary of graduating. 'To think about the fact that people have to be fearful of having a sitting member of Congress to come and address their graduates, tells us that we still got a lot of work to do,' Crockett said. 'The president of the United States having a temper tantrum that strips funding because I'm Black and I'm proud should not be something that we are dealing with in 2025.' Crockett compared her speech on the Tougaloo campus to the 1960s, when the campus served as a safe space for civil rights leaders such as Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 'The work done by so many like Bennie (Thompson), Medgar (Evers) and Fannie Lou Hamer are under attack,' Crockett said. 'Instead of calling us the 'N word,' they use racist epithets and suggest that we're ghetto, or unqualified or diversity hires, even though we're all, more oftentimes than not, more educated and qualified than they are. I have news for you. These attacks are not new because Jim Crow never died. He just lied (sic) in wait.' Again, all Crockett did was tell the truth about a president who, on day one, signed executive orders that effectively rolled back civil rights era legislation. She did not lie when she spoke about the oppressive nature of an administration that has propagandized DEI in order to justify its all-out attack on diversity initiatives across the country, especially those that seek to address racial disparities. Crockett didn't draw false parallels between Jim Crow and an administration that has literally ended desegregation policies while manipulating civil rights legislation that ended Jim Crow by perverting the spirit of those laws to address fictional anti-white discrimination. She told not one lie about the 'racist epithets' that the MAGA world has normalized, reflexively calling Black professionals 'DEI hires' and calling Crockett herself 'ghetto' just because she's so unapologetically Black. Trump's administration cares so little about Black Americans that it ended a wastewater settlement for a mostly Black Alabama town — where residents had complained about sewage-related issues for years — just because environmental racism (or as Trump officials called it, DEI) had been brought up when the settlement was being reached. Honestly, Crockett went light on this white nationalist-friendly White House. Crockett didn't lie, but MAGA loyalists apparently got mad enough at the truth to threaten Tougaloo College. More from the Ledger: Tougaloo President Donzell Lee sent a letter to the Tougaloo community on Monday, May 5 addressing 'concerning calls' regarding Crockett's speech. 'We are not taking these occurrences lightly,' the letter reads. 'Appropriate actions have been taken. Contact has been made with law enforcement authorities to ensure that safety protocols are in place, if needed.' Although the letter does not specify these threats, the college president encouraged anyone who receives a call to report to Vice President Donavon Coley. Crockett addressed the alleged threats on X Wednesday. 'No low is too low for MAGA … now explain to me why an institution would be receiving threats because of the commencement speech that I GAVE,' she wrote. 'This type of behavior is why I'm constantly having to be protected and I understand that truth telling in this country; sadly, is a dangerous business, but college students don't deserve this. As a side note: you consistently prove me right and just as this was the only campus that MLK could speak at in Mississippi in the 1960s … it's 2025, and this country is still stuck on hate … I'm proud to say Tougaloo is tough and so am I.' SEE ALSO: Rep. Jasmine Crockett Wants To Take On Trump In An IQ Test Op-Ed: Jasmine Crockett Can't Have It Both Ways SEE ALSO Tougaloo College Reports Threats After Rep. Jasmine Crockett Gives Commencement Speech Comparing Trump To Jim Crow was originally published on
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tougaloo receives threats after U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett gives commencement speech
Tougaloo College has contacted law enforcement after receiving threats regarding U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett's recent commencement speech. Rep. Crockett, D-Dallas, spoke at Tougaloo College's 2025 commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 4. Her speech centered on the similarities between today's political climate and that of the Civil Rights Movement. After growing up in St. Louis, Crockett earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Rhodes College in Memphis in 2003 and a law degree from the University of Houston in 2009. She became the U.S. Representative for Texas' 30th Congressional District in Jan. 2023. Crockett was the only Black freshman and youngest Black lawmaker in Texas during the 87th Legislative Session. What did Jasmine Crockett say? "I oftentimes have to let my staff start a speech, and then I either put some stank on it, or I go completely off the dome," Crockett joked before beginning her speech Sunday morning. After acknowledging Anne Moody and Memphis Norman, Tougaloo students who played pivotal roles in the 1963 Woolworth's sit-in in Jackson, Crockett mentioned President Donald Trump specifically. "Sadly enough, in the year of our Lord 2025, sitting in these very classrooms is just as much of a protest as Anne and Memphis pulling up to Woolworths in 1963," Crockett said. "It's the paradox and parallels for me. … As I stand here in this safe space, still only one of the few places that an institution can invite me to speak." Crockett paused as she looked to the audience for a response. "Okay, so that went over some of y'all's heads, but my 50-year grads understood what I was putting down," Crockett continued, pointing to the Class of 1975 members who were honored Sunday for their 50th anniversary of graduating. "To think about the fact that people have to be fearful of having a sitting member of Congress to come and address their graduates, tells us that we still got a lot of work to do," Crockett said. "The president of the United States having a temper tantrum that strips funding because I'm Black and I'm proud should not be something that we are dealing with in 2025." More in state news: How will Trump funding cuts to NPR, PBS affect Mississippi Public Broadcasting? Crockett compared her speech on the Tougaloo campus to the 1960s, when the campus served as a safe space for civil rights leaders such as Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. "The work done by so many like Bennie (Thompson), Medgar (Evers) and Fannie Lou Hamer are under attack," Crockett said. "Instead of calling us the 'N word,' they use racist epithets and suggest that we're ghetto, or unqualified or diversity hires, even though we're all, more oftentimes than not, more educated and qualified than they are. I have news for you. These attacks are not new, because Jim Crow never died. He just lied (sic) in wait." U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett spoke at Tougaloo graduation on Sunday, prompting threats to the HBCU in Jackson. Concluding her speech, Crockett looked up from her written words and looked directly into the audience. "If you are waiting for somebody to come and save you, they are not coming to save you," Crockett said. "You are the person that you have been waiting on. There are people that are going to tell you that there is not a table in which there is a seat for you, but I am here to remind you of Montgomery and those folding chairs. Let me tell you that we know how to use a chair, whether we pulling it up or we are doing something else with it." Crockett's speech was met with applause as she left the podium. Tougaloo College responds Tougaloo President Donzell Lee sent a letter to the Tougaloo community on Monday, May 5 addressing "concerning calls" regarding Crockett's speech. "We are not taking these occurrences lightly," the letter reads. "Appropriate actions have been taken. Contact has been made with law enforcement authorities to ensure that safety protocols are in place, if needed." Although the letter does not specify these threats, the college president encouraged anyone who receives a call to report to Vice President Donavon Coley. Follow this Mississippi singer: 'American Idol': Mississippi native Jamal Roberts makes Top 7. See his captivating performance Just after 12 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, Crockett took to X, formally Twitter, to push back against the threats, attributing the concerning calls to President Trump's MAGA base. "No low is too low for MAGA … now explain to me why an institution would be receiving threats because of the commencement speech that I GAVE," Crockett wrote on X. "This type of behavior is why I'm constantly having to be protected and I understand that truth telling in this country; sadly, is a dangerous business, but college students don't deserve this. As a side note: you consistently prove me right and just as this was the only campus that MLK could speak at in Mississippi in the 1960s … it's 2025, and this country is still stuck on hate … I'm proud to say Tougaloo is tough and so am I." Crockett has faced scrutiny in recent months from Trump's supporters and from the president himself. During NBC's "Meet the Press" interview, which aired on the same day Crockett gave her Tougaloo speech, Trump called the Texas congresswoman "a low IQ person." Crockett responded to Trump's comments on X, formerly Twitter, that afternoon, saying she was about to depart from the Jackson airport when she learned of Trump's "diabolical" comments. U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi representative and Tougaloo alumnus, released a statement on Tuesday, May 6, addressing the threats. Thompson invited Crockett to speak at this year's commencement and sat behind her during the speech. "It is unfortunate that a day of celebration at Tougaloo College was met with attempts by extremists to overshadow the moment and intimidate those in attendance," Thompson said. "Their threats, aimed at undermining Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett's powerful commencement address, failed. The Tougaloo community remains proud, strong and unmoved." Thompson did not identify any of the "extremists," or their threats, but defended Crockett and her message. "Tougaloo College is known around the world and has long been an agent for change during some of our nation's most difficult times," Thompson said. "Congresswoman Crockett is one of the most sought-after voices in the U.S. House of Representatives, and we were honored to have her speak. I stand in solidarity with the Tougaloo community and commend Congresswoman Crockett for her inspiring message to the graduates. Under no circumstances will we be intimidated by fear." Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Tougaloo College gets threats after Rep. Jasmine Crockett's speech
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Marcus Thompson resigns as JSU president. Second president to resign in 2 years. What we know
Jackson State University President Marcus Thompson has submitted his resignation, continuing the challenges and leadership turmoil at Jackson's largest university. The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning announced Thompson's resignation Wednesday afternoon, May 7 in a one paragraph release. A specific reason was not given, but said the resignation was "effective immediately." Thompson's departure continues the steady churn at the top of the state's largest HBCU. Thompson was the is the seventh president at Jackson State in the last 16 years. The resignation comes barely two years after his predecessor, Thomas K. Hudson, resigned in March of 2023. Hudson had been on paid leave after the faculty senate had given him a vote of no confidence. Thompson's resignation also comes just days after JSU graduation. Denise Jones Gregory, provost and vice president of academic affairs will step in as interim president. Tougaloo commencement controversy: Tougaloo receives threats after U.S. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett gives commencement speech Controversy around hiring of Marcus Thompson Thompson's path to presidency has been the subject of public discourse and litigation since the IHL promoted the president from within instead of hiring an applicant from the national search; Thompson at the time was the IHL's Deputy Commissioner and Chief Administrative Officer. During the last IHL meeting of 2023, the agenda was nearing the end without the board publicly naming a permanent JSU president. In the eight months prior, Elayne Hayes-Anthony had served as acting president after the IHL put former Hudson on paid administrative leave. As the Nov. 2023 meeting was nearing a close, applause broke out from behind closed doors, and board trustees did not explain why. Later, the applause was linked with the appointment of Thompson as the 13th permanent JSU president. More in education news Tougaloo faculty votes no confidence on president, provost and registrar. See concerns During the national search, Hayes-Anthony publicly advocated to stay in the position as permanent president. When the JSU Faculty Senate issued a vote of no confidence for Hudson, which eventually led to his resignation, the university's faculty publicly supported Hayes-Anthony as the next president. Hayes-Anthony did not make it past initial interview rounds in the national search for a new president. On Nov. 16, the same day the IHL appointed Thompson, Debra Mays-Jackson, the JSU chief of staff, filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court Southern District of Mississippi alleging sex discrimination by the IHL as Mays-Jackson was denied an interview during the national search. According to a Jan. 6, 2025 court order, Thompson was not one of the 79 applicants in the national search. On May 28, 2024 Mays-Jackson filed suit again against the IHL alleging violations of Title VII. In the suit, Mays-Jackson said that the IHL practice of hiring individuals who did not apply has only ever benefitted male candidates. In early Feb. 2024, just over 70 days after Thompson began his new role, the JSU president sat down for an exclusive interview with the Clarion Ledger. When asked about his path to presidency, Thompson said he had no reservations or concerns about his appointment from an internal search rather than a national search. At the time, Thompson told the Clarion Ledger that every time an internal promotion had occurred, "great things have happened." Denise Jones Gregory was named interim president of Jackson State University on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. See their journey: Jackson State's Sonic Boom of the South joins Travis Scott at Coachella. How it happened Thompson's appointment was the second time in recent years the IHL has chosen a university president from within. In 2019, Glenn Boyce, the IHL commissioner at the time, was named as the new chancellor of the University of Mississippi. The decision, which came after a lengthy national search, was met with backlash from some University of Mississippi students and community members who felt the national search has not been taken seriously. Before becoming JSU president, Thompson had an education career spanning more than 20 years, in which he served roles in early childhood, K-12 and higher education as well as a liaison between the IHL Commissioner's Office, the IHL and Mississippi's eight public universities, including JSU. Pam Dankins, Charlie Drape, Ross Reily and Lici Beveridge contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Marcus Thompson resigns as Jackson State University President
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Congresswoman Crockett to headline Tougaloo College's 2025 Commencement
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett will deliver the keynote address during Tougaloo College's Commencement 2025. The graduation ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 4 at 9:00 a.m. on Tougaloo's campus in Jackson. Super Bowl champion A.J. Brown named Ole Miss Commencement speaker Earlier that morning, the college will host its Baccalaureate Ceremony in the Historic Woodworth Chapel, where Rev. Cassius L. Rudolph will deliver a sermon. Click here for more information. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
