May 13th 2024.
College campuses across the country have been ablaze with protests against the Israeli bombing of Palestine. However, at HBCUs like Morehouse College, the response has been relatively quiet. During a recent visit to Atlanta, Vice President Kamala Harris inquired about the university climate and what topics students were interested in hearing about during President Joe Biden's upcoming visit on May 19th.
According to The New York Times, while there is simmering anger among students at Morehouse, it has not yet manifested into the large-scale encampments and demonstrations seen at other universities, such as Emory University in Atlanta. Morehouse has historically focused more on domestic issues, rather than international affairs. President David Thomas stated that he did not believe in "cancel culture" and that the institution should not silence individuals, regardless of whether they agree with them or not.
Despite President Thomas' stance, there have been tense exchanges in meetings with campus leaders, and some faculty members have expressed their plans to boycott the commencement ceremony. In fact, a group of Morehouse alumni have penned a letter criticizing the school's track record of only celebrating student activists after they have graduated.
Compared to other universities, Morehouse is deeply rooted in tradition. This sentiment is shared by alumnus Cedric Richmond, who graduated from Morehouse in 1995, and now serves as a senior advisor at the Democratic National Committee. Richmond believes that the commencement should not be disrupted by protests, stating, "The Morehouse College graduation is a solemn event. It is a significant day for nearly 500 African American males who have worked tirelessly to earn their degrees. We must not let anything interfere with this momentous occasion."
However, not all students share this sentiment. Junior Benjamin Bayliss believes that it is time for the protests to reach Morehouse's campus. He argues that without student activism, meaningful change will never occur. Bayliss states, "If we don't see students advocating for what they believe in, then how can we expect change to happen? We must continue the work that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. started and carry on his legacy."
Meanwhile, Samuel Livingston, an associate professor of Africana studies at Morehouse, has criticized President Biden's foreign policy regarding Gaza. Livingston believes that while Biden may be a likable person, his leadership lacks ethics. He argues that the US should not continue to support the displacement of Palestinians from their land in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
In related news, it was recently announced that President Biden will be the commencement speaker at Morehouse College. This news has caused even more tension on campus, with some students planning to protest during the ceremony. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but one thing is certain: the students at Morehouse are passionate about advocating for change and upholding their values.
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