By: Ashir Rao
Humor Editor
On May 19, President Joe Biden delivered a commencement address at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. The event was notable for both Biden’s speech and the atmosphere of upheaval both at Morehouse and across college campuses in the United States. Some protesters expressed discontent with the president’s policies related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with several students turning their backs on Biden or walking out during his address.
Notably, Morehouse valedictorian DeAngelo Fletcher called for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza strip” in his speech, receiving applause from both the audience and President Biden, who shook his hand. Fletcher highlighted both the suffering of civilians and the need for hostages’ release. Despite the protests, Biden’s speech proceeded without major interruptions. Some graduates wore traditional Palestinian scarves and Palestinian flags, silently protesting by turning their chairs away from the president. After Biden finished, a segment of the audience chanted “Four more years!,” a common campaign slogan for Biden.
In his speech, Biden emphasized the importance of peaceful, nonviolent protest and assured students that their voices were heard and reaffirmed his commitment to working towards a ceasefire in Gaza. The president also touched on themes of democracy, masculinity, and the importance of Black history, which he stated is American history. His address was part of a broader effort to reconnect with Black voters and young Americans, groups showing dropping levels of support for his reelection campaign.
Morehouse College President David Thomas had previously stated that he would halt the ceremony rather than ordering police to arrest students for protesting. Ultimately, the protests at Morehouse were peaceful and orderly.
In addition to addressing the Gaza conflict, Biden’s speech highlighted his administration’s work for Black communities, including major funding for historically Black colleges and universities, voting rights protections, and economic policies aimed at supporting Black businesses. These points were intended to resonate with Black voters, a critical demographic for the upcoming 2024 election.
(Sources: Yahoo, CNN, NYT)