Latest news with #TougalooCollege
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
Sky News AU
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Jasmine Crockett slammed for encouraging college students to ‘use a chair' against adversaries
US Representative Jasmine Crockett has been criticised following comments she made at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi. On Sunday, Crockett held a commencement speech to a graduating class and encouraged the students to 'use a chair' when facing adversity. 'There are people that are going to tell you that there is not a table in which there is not a seat for you, but I am here to remind you of Montgomery and those folding chairs,' she said. 'Let me tell you that we know how to use a chair, whether we [are] pulling it up or we doing something else with it.' The Democrat's comments were quickly slammed, with many claiming Crockett was inciting violence. Jasmine wants to remind everyone to 'use a chair'. Is she promoting violence at this graduation ceremony?' Wrote one user.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Use a chair': Jasmine Crockett invokes 2023 Montgomery brawl in college speech
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, told the graduating class at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi, during a commencement speech on Sunday that they know how to "use a chair" in the face of adversity. "There are people that are going to tell you that there is not a table in which there is not 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 [are] pulling it up or we doing something else with it," Crockett said. During her remarks, Crockett seems to reference the viral video from August 2023 of a group of White boaters attacking a Black riverboat captain, Dameion Pickett, in Montgomery, Alabama. The white folding chair became a symbol of resistance when a Black man raised a chair over his head in Pickett's defense as the other men attacked him. The Texas Democrat urged the graduating class at the historically Black college on Sunday to pull up their own seat at the table, reminding students of the bystanders who rushed to defend Pickett when he was attacked. Conservatives were quick to reply to the clip of Crockett's remarks, and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said Crockett's comments were "not cool." Trump Mocks 'Low Iq' Jasmine Crockett, 'Nutjob' Bernie Sanders As Potential Leaders For The Democratic Party Crockett's remarks come on the heels of a contentious back-and-forth with President Donald Trump on Sunday. Read On The Fox News App Jasmine Crockett Claims Trump Is 'Terrified Of Smart, Bold Black Women' After President's 'Low Iq' Jab "For you to be in charge of the WHOLE country, you sure do have my name in your mouth a lot. Every time you say my name, you're reminding the world that you're terrified of smart, bold Black women telling the truth and holding you accountable. So keep talking," Crockett said. Trump on Sunday told Kristen Welker, host of NBC's "Meet the Press," that Crockett is a "low I.Q. person," calling her the future of the Democratic Party, which he described as in "disarray." Reports last week indicated that Crockett, who is currently the vice ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has her eyes set on the chair position of the committee. Crockett would lead oversight of the federal government if she gets the gig, which could include leading investigations into Trump's agenda. Conservatives have accused Crockett of inciting violence during Trump's first 100 days. The progressive lawmaker from Texas was slammed online earlier this year for implying that Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, "has to be knocked over the head, like hard." Crockett also said Democrats need to be willing to "punch" in races against Republicans. The White House's rapid response account replied to the comments on X, calling Crockett "another unhinged Democrat inciting violence." Earlier this year, Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Crockett of "threatening lives" and said she should apologize for her rhetoric against Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for saying, "'All I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down.'" Crockett would clarify that her comments were intended as "nonviolent" resistance. Crockett was also criticized this year for calling Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, who is in a wheelchair, "Governor Hot Wheels." She tried to walk back the comments after her remarks went viral, calling the outrage a "distraction" and claiming she was "appalled that the very people who unequivocally support Trump – a man known for racially insensitive nicknames and mocking those with disabilities – are now outraged." Crockett did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for article source: 'Use a chair': Jasmine Crockett invokes 2023 Montgomery brawl in college speech
Fox News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
'Use a chair': Jasmine Crockett invokes 2023 Montgomery brawl in college speech
Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, told the graduating class at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi, during a commencement speech on Sunday that they know how to "use a chair" in the face of adversity. "There are people that are going to tell you that there is not a table in which there is not 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 [are] pulling it up or we doing something else with it," Crockett said. During her remarks, Crockett seems to reference the viral video from August 2023 of a group of White boaters attacking a Black riverboat captain, Dameion Pickett, in Montgomery, Alabama. The white folding chair became a symbol of resistance when a Black man raised a chair over his head in Pickett's defense as the other men attacked him. The Texas Democrat urged the graduating class at the historically Black college on Sunday to pull up their own seat at the table, reminding students of the bystanders who rushed to defend Pickett when he was attacked. Conservatives were quick to reply to the clip of Crockett's remarks, and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said Crockett's comments were "not cool." Crockett's remarks come on the heels of a contentious back-and-forth with President Donald Trump on Sunday. "For you to be in charge of the WHOLE country, you sure do have my name in your mouth a lot. Every time you say my name, you're reminding the world that you're terrified of smart, bold Black women telling the truth and holding you accountable. So keep talking," Crockett said. Trump on Sunday told Kristen Welker, host of NBC's "Meet the Press," that Crockett is a "low I.Q. person," calling her the future of the Democratic Party, which he described as in "disarray." Reports last week indicated that Crockett, who is currently the vice ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has her eyes set on the chair position of the committee. Crockett would lead oversight of the federal government if she gets the gig, which could include leading investigations into Trump's agenda. Conservatives have accused Crockett of inciting violence during Trump's first 100 days. The progressive lawmaker from Texas was slammed online earlier this year for implying that Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, "has to be knocked over the head, like hard." Crockett also said Democrats need to be willing to "punch" in races against Republicans. The White House's rapid response account replied to the comments on X, calling Crockett "another unhinged Democrat inciting violence." Earlier this year, Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Crockett of "threatening lives" and said she should apologize for her rhetoric against Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for saying, "'All I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down.'" Crockett would clarify that her comments were intended as "nonviolent" resistance. Crockett was also criticized this year for calling Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, who is in a wheelchair, "Governor Hot Wheels." She tried to walk back the comments after her remarks went viral, calling the outrage a "distraction" and claiming she was "appalled that the very people who unequivocally support Trump – a man known for racially insensitive nicknames and mocking those with disabilities – are now outraged." Crockett did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
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.
