May 19th 2024.
During his commencement address to the 2024 graduating class at Morehouse College, President Joe Biden focused on highlighting the differences between himself and his opponent, Republican Party nominee Donald Trump. However, he also acknowledged the criticism surrounding his foreign policy towards Israel. The speech, which took place on May 19 at Morehouse College, an HBCU, was an important part of Biden's re-election campaign targeted towards Black voters in recent weeks.
Amidst the cheers and applause, Biden addressed the dissent surrounding his handling of the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. He empathized with those who were angered and frustrated by his actions, stating, "But most of all, I know it breaks your heart. Breaks mine as well." He emphasized that true leadership involves facing difficult problems and making tough decisions, even when they are unpopular.
As Biden spoke, one faculty member turned around and raised a fist in protest. However, this did not disrupt the overall ceremony, as reported by NPR. In fact, Morehouse College Valedictorian DeAngelo Fletcher used his speech to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, stating, "For the first time in our lives, we've heard the global community sing one harmonious song that transcends language and culture." This sentiment was also shared by other students who wore keffiyehs and turned their backs towards Biden in protest.
Despite the potential for disruption, Morehouse College President David Thomas made it clear that he would not allow any arrests to take place during the ceremony. He stated, "If my choice is 20 people being arrested on national TV on the Morehouse campus, taken away in zip ties during our commencement, before we would reach that point, I would conclude the ceremony." This sentiment was echoed by other officials, including associate provost of student success Mel Foster, who reminded attendees to respect the dignity and excellence of Morehouse College.
As reported by The Hill, Biden is currently struggling to gain support from not just Black voters, but also young voters and progressives. Fred Hicks, a Georgia-based Democratic strategist, explained that Biden's commencement speech at Morehouse College was a strategic move to win back these voting blocs. "The president giving the commencement speech at Morehouse, before the preeminent Black male college in the country, is a nod to the fact that Black men and young voters are really looking at not voting this election," Hicks stated. "He realizes that he has to do something to try to bring them back, bring us back into the fold."
Despite the split vote from faculty members, Biden was still awarded an honorary doctorate from Morehouse College. This decision highlights the importance of reaching out to different communities and working towards unity, even amidst differing opinions. As the campaign for re-election continues, it is clear that Biden is committed to addressing the concerns and needs of all voters, including the Black community.
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