Morehouse College is facing backlash from students and faculty over the decision to have President Joe Biden as the commencement speaker next month. The announcement of Biden’s speech has sparked concerns and debates among the college community, with many grappling with whether or how to protest the president’s presence at the ceremony. Faculty members have expressed reluctance to share the stage with Biden, citing concerns over his support for Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. There are calls for the school’s leadership to reconsider the invitation, but officials have made it clear that Biden’s speech will go ahead as planned.
A call is scheduled between Morehouse College leadership and faculty to address concerns and allow faculty members to voice their opinions. Many on campus feel that the decision to invite Biden should have involved more input from students and faculty, and there are widespread concerns over the Biden administration’s role in the conflict in Gaza. Despite the pushback, it is unlikely that the commencement speech will be canceled, and the focus is now on ensuring that students are able to exercise their right to protest peacefully without any risk of confrontation with law enforcement.
Senior student Calvin Bell, who voted for Biden in 2020, views the president’s speech as a distraction from celebrating students during commencement but also sees it as an opportunity to bring student concerns over Gaza directly to Biden. The visit presents a chance for students to make their voices heard on issues of war and genocide in the Middle East. Members of the faculty council emphasize the importance of protecting students from any potential risks associated with protesting, especially considering the unique challenges faced by Black men at a historically Black college like Morehouse.
Morehouse College’s leadership recognizes the sensitivity of the situation and is encouraging students, faculty, and staff to engage in peaceful expression of their opinions. The school prides itself on its history of activism and advocacy for social justice, and this event provides an opportunity for the community to come together and discuss a range of views on pressing issues like the situation in Israel and Gaza. Biden’s speech at Morehouse is politically significant, as it offers him a chance to appeal to young Black voters and potentially solidify support in a state like Georgia where he narrowly won in 2020. The location of Morehouse, near downtown Atlanta, adds another layer of importance to the event.
While the commencement ceremony is still a month away and there is time for attitudes to shift, initial reactions from students do not indicate a positive reception for Biden’s speech. Faculty members are focused on ensuring that students’ rights to protest are protected and that any demonstrations remain peaceful. The controversy surrounding Biden’s appearance at Morehouse highlights the complexities and challenges of navigating sensitive political issues on college campuses. Despite the disagreements and concerns, the college community is determined to engage in constructive dialogue and maintain its legacy of activism and social justice advocacy.
