Some college grads get Steve Jobs. Others, John F. Kennedy. This year, graduates of Tougaloo College were treated to a commencement speech no less memorable — For all the wrong reasons.
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas gave an incoherent commencement address to Tougaloo College’s Class of 2025. Crockett began the speech by thanking Tougaloo College President Donzell Lee for the opportunity to speak, adding, “I hope you don’t regret it.” Cue twenty or so minutes of regrettable remarks.
“When Congressman [Bernie] Thompson basically volun-told [sic] me that I was gonna do this, I was like, bruh,” she began. Crockett veered between lamenting the “haters” who “continuously spread lies about me” and whining about the fatiguing nature of her job.
“We don’t get stylists, an army of protectors, traveling makeup artists, speech writers,” the congresswoman griped. “I oftentimes have to let my staff start a speech, and then I either put some stank on it, or I completely go off the dome.” Crockett is clearly alluding to the two rhetorical modes identified by Aristotle: stanky or “off the dome.” You decide how best to categorize this particular speech.
“The reality is that there is a song that goes, ‘Haters get on your job.’ ‘Haters get on your job,’ y’all know that song? We’re also going through the soundtrack of my life. Again, it’s the paradox and parallels for me,” Crockett said. She repeated the mantra “paradox and parallels” throughout the speech, seemingly without bothering to check if its inclusion made any sense at all.
The representative is apparently referencing “Motivation” by American rapper T.I., which also includes such illuminating verses as “I got the spirit of a god, heart of a dope dealer,” and “I separated the fakes, paralyzed from the waist down.” The latter line is particularly appropriate. Crockett referred to Republican Gov. Gregg Abbott of Texas, confined to a wheelchair for over forty years, as “Governor Hot Wheels” just weeks ago. To make matters worse, photos circulated on social media on May 6 of Crockett apparently boarding a Delta Airlines flight prior to at least two passengers in wheelchairs.
CROCKETT: “We know how to use a chair whether we pulling it up or we doing something else with it.” pic.twitter.com/WcJjxPKU7u
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) May 5, 2025
Crockett’s fixation on chairs manifested in this advice: “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 doing something else with it.” Crockett is apparently referencing the viral “Montgomery Riverfront Brawl,” where a man used a folding chair as a weapon. An illustrious career as a Waffle House brawler might be, it probably was not the future proud parents have in mind for their alumni. (RELATED: Law And Order Is Coming For America’s Bluest City)
Crockett published a letter from Lee to the “Tougaloo Family” on her personal X account. Lee claims the college “has received concerning calls” regarding Crockett’s speech and that “contact has been made with law enforcement authorities.” Crockett captioned the photo: “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 also wrote, “It’s 2025, and this country is still stuck on hate.”
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.
This type of behavior is why I’m constantly having to be protected & I understand that truth telling in this country; sadly, is a… pic.twitter.com/SopOsPxdZB
— Jasmine Crockett (@JasmineForUS) May 7, 2025
Her response expands on the central theme of her speech, if it had one: Life is unfair; Whine about it! “Instead of publicly 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 often times than not, more educated and qualified than they are,” Crockett said. Crockett herself has previously suggested she was hired as a public defender on the basis of race.
Fending off the consequences of one’s own public statements is tough work. No wonder Crockett appears perpetually exhausted. “Why did I say that I was tired after telling y’all to say that you aren’t? Because I am. And frankly, it’s okay,” she told the graduates. It’s okay to be tired. Wow. Groundbreaking stuff. (RELATED: Libs Throw Temper Tantrum For Status Quo)
Over and over again, Crockett proves herself the wit of a generation. Which generation, exactly, Crockett declines to specify. “And when I was sitting in my college graduation, I won’t tell y’all how many years ago, and mind your business about my age,” she remarked, “Sadly, I was trying to think of who spoke, and what they spoke about, and frankly, I have zero recollection.” About as inspiring as a trip to the dementia ward.
She continued: “The only thing I can recall for sure is that I had no inkling or inspiration of becoming a congresswoman. Frankly, many days I wake up and I question that, too.” She’s not alone. Surely, countless Americans have puzzled over “why” and “how” and “seriously, how” Crockett was elected. If she’s so tired, perhaps a leave of absence is in order. For the good of the representative and her constituents alike.
Follow Natalie Sandoval on X: @NatalieIrene03
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