President Biden will be giving the commencement address at Morehouse College, a historically Black institution in Atlanta, Georgia. The location of the college in a swing state that Biden flipped in the last election makes this speech significant. Biden is aiming to connect with young Black men, a key constituency that helped elect him, and repair the diverse coalition that supported his presidency. However, the announcement of his speech has triggered protests and calls for cancellation due to his handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, reflecting the tension Biden faces in communities of color and with young voters nationally.
Concerns over possible protests have led to the erection of fences around the Morehouse campus, and the college president has warned that graduation ceremonies could be halted if demonstrations occur. Some students and faculty have challenged the decision to invite Biden, criticizing his administration’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The White House dispatched a senior adviser to meet with students on campus in an effort to address concerns and ensure that any protests remain peaceful and do not disrupt the graduation ceremony.
The president’s visit comes at a critical time in Georgia, where recent polling shows him losing to Trump if the election were held today. Biden is focusing on reaching Black communities during his visit, including a meeting with plaintiffs from the Brown v. Board of Education case and an address to an NAACP gathering. Many younger Black people have shown support for the Palestinian cause, drawing parallels between Israeli policies and historical systems of oppression. Morehouse has faced backlash for inviting Biden, with some alumni and students arguing that the decision goes against the pacifism advocated by Martin Luther King Jr., a Morehouse alumnus.
Despite the controversy surrounding Biden’s speech, Morehouse College remains committed to holding the graduation ceremony with the president as the speaker. Efforts have been made to address student concerns and ensure that the event proceeds smoothly. While discussions about investments in Israel and U.S. defense contractors have taken place, the focus remains on celebrating the achievements of the graduating seniors. HBCUs like Morehouse have not experienced the same level of protest crackdowns as other universities, but there have been peaceful demonstrations and dialogue among campus stakeholders. Ultimately, the decision to invite President Biden to speak at Morehouse has sparked important conversations about foreign policy, activism, and the role of historically Black institutions in shaping societal values.
