President Joe Biden delivered his first commencement address of the 2024 season at Morehouse College, a historically Black, all-male college in Atlanta. This event may be the most direct exposure Biden has yet received to the frustrations of young people over his administration’s policies related to the Israel-Hamas war. The announcement of Biden speaking at Morehouse sparked outrage among some faculty members, leading to an open forum to address concerns. Despite the backlash, the school has maintained its decision not to rescind Biden’s invitation.
In anticipation of protests at the commencement, the White House sent Stephen Benjamin to speak with students at Morehouse. Benjamin had a wide-ranging conversation with students, including discussion about the conflict in the Middle East. The White House is aware of the potential for demonstrations and is prioritizing the words that President Biden will articulate during the event. Biden is expected to engage with faculty, staff, and students while at Morehouse and is looking forward to it.
Biden has avoided addressing large crowds of young people on college campuses in recent months, following interruptions during his January remarks at George Mason University. The ongoing conflict in Gaza and rising death toll have fueled anger among students, leading to over 1,360 demonstrations on campuses across the country since October. While most protests have been peaceful, there have been instances of property destruction and violence that have gained attention.
Campus turmoil reached a peak in late April and early May, with incidents at Columbia University, the University of Texas in Austin, and UCLA gaining widespread attention. Biden denounced some actions of campus protesters in response to the unrest, emphasizing the importance of respecting the rights of others while expressing strong convictions. The Morehouse commencement is part of Biden’s efforts to address historic racial shortcomings and engage with the next generation of Black leaders.
Prior to his address at Morehouse, Biden met with plaintiffs of the Brown v. Board of Education case and visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He also spoke with members of the Divine Nine, a group of historic Black fraternities and sororities. After the Morehouse speech, Biden is scheduled to address an NAACP dinner in Detroit. This visit marks the second time Biden has been to Morehouse during his presidency, highlighting his focus on engaging with the Black community and addressing issues of racial justice.
Overall, Biden’s Morehouse commencement address reflects his administration’s efforts to connect with young people, acknowledge racial injustices, and engage with Black leaders. The event comes at a time of heightened tensions on college campuses related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, prompting the White House to be proactive in addressing concerns and engaging with students. Biden’s message at Morehouse is expected to address these issues while emphasizing the importance of peaceful expression of dissent and promoting unity and respect among communities.
