Image: University Communications
By Cameron Adams
Editor-in-Chief
Jackson State University alumnus Carlton W. Reeves will return to TheeILove to serve as the commencement speaker for the graduate ceremony on May 4, 2024.
Reeves, a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi, has many reasons to be supportive of the next generation of Tigers.
Judge Reeves became a lawyer in 1989. In 2010, he began his role as a judge for the United States District.
Since then he has been hands-on with several controversial cases such as Dobbs vs. Women’s Health Organization, the case that would lead to the demise of Roe v. Wade.
With more than 30 years of experience in the judicial system, Judge Reeves has seen his share of cases that deal with controversial topics, including racism.
He encourages students to remember that the future of the state is in their hands.
“The thing I would say most to young people is that the state belongs to them,” he said speaking to Mississippi native.
“This is your Mississippi and it belongs to you. You have every right to make Mississippi be the Mississippi that you want it to be,” Reeves said. “Despite what it was, we should walk away from what it was and all of our efforts should be to make Mississippi be the Mississippi we want it to be.”
He added: “I realize there may be sources out there who want to keep Mississippi in the 1920s or the 1950s, or the 1970s or the 1990s, but you and your generation … you want to make Mississippi be the Mississippi you want for your children. That’s what your parents did. That’s what your grandparents did. You have the right to claim it.”
One of the issues often discussed on college campuses, especially HBCUs, is the belief of some that the young African-American vote does not count, Reeves had this to say about that belief.
“You all could control a whole lot of stuff if all the students on that campus were to go the student union on election day and voted. Y’all would take over the city of Jackson. Y’all would take over a part of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors. You all could dictate that,” said Judge Reeves. “I think voting is power.”
Reeves asked a profound question to any student thinking voting does not matter.
“If you believe that voting does not matter, why is it that there are persons out there who would do everything possible to keep you from voting?”
He cited the use of laws, fake news, redistricting and gerrymandering and more as ways voter suppression happens and challenged students to understand that this happens because voting is power.
“Those people know the power of the vote. It’s politics and the vote that rules everything else. Your vote determines the quality of schools you have, your vote determines what type of recreational facilities you have, your vote determines how the economic pie is split in every city and community. Your vote dictates everything,” Judge Reeves stated emphatically.
He added: “The vote is what got Carlton Reeves in the position he’s in now. But for President Obama winning that election, Carlton Reeves probably would not be a judge. That vote matters.”
Judges Reeves ended by expressing how he is most proud of being involved in activities during commencement weekend with Sen. Laphonza Butler.
“She is a treasure. She represents 44 million people. That’s how many people are in California. It’s 3.5 million people in Mississippi. She represents 13, 14, 15 Mississippi’s,” he said.
Judge Reeves added: “And she is a young woman who was at Jackson State 20 years after I was there. And I am just so proud of the opportunity to share some space with her. A lot of us do not recognize what it is she has achieved in her life.”
When asked about any other future goals he has, Judge Reeves responded that he was not seeking another office or title, “I just want to do justice.”
The graduate student ceremony will take place on Friday, May 3 at 9 a.m. CT in the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.
Graduate Commencement Event Protocols:
– This is a non-ticketed event.
– Clear Bag Policy will be enforced.
– Doors will open at 7 a.m. CT
– Doors will close at 8:50 a.m. CT prior to the procession and re-open after invocation.
The event will be live-streamed via @JacksonStateU on YouTube and Facebook.
Additional information is available at https://www.jsums.edu/jsucommencement/
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