Results for: Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

President Joe Biden’s invitation to speak at Morehouse College’s commencement has sparked controversy among some faculty and supporters due to his handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Critics claim that Biden’s approach effectively supports genocide in Gaza and contradicts Martin Luther King Jr.’s pacifist stance. The White House confirmed Biden’s May 19th speech at Morehouse, where he will also address the graduating class at West Point. The controversy stems from concerns raised by Morehouse alumni who circulated an online letter urging the school to rescind the invitation based on Biden’s Israel-related policies. The letter emphasizes King’s opposition to the Vietnam War and his belief that war diminishes humanity. Despite faculty concerns, Morehouse Provost Kendrick Brown affirmed the school’s invitation to Biden, which was reportedly issued in September before the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated. The controversy highlights Biden’s ongoing challenges with Black Americans, as his approval ratings have declined among the group since he took office. The president’s speech at Morehouse will mark the second consecutive year he has addressed a graduating class at a historically Black college, following his commencement address at Howard University in 2023. Biden’s visit to Georgia, a key battleground state in the 2020 election, underscores his efforts to shore up support among Black voters.

President Biden will deliver the commencement address at Morehouse College in Georgia on May 19, marking his second consecutive year speaking to a graduating class at a historically Black school. This appearance comes as polls suggest Biden needs to work towards maintaining high levels of support among Black voters, particularly younger ones, and follows concerns about possible protests during his visit. The President’s speech will focus on key policy achievements and priorities, such as increased federal funding for HBCUs, student loan debt forgiveness, and initiatives to address racial disparities in income and wealth. Morehouse, founded in 1867, is the alma mater of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Raphael Warnock, and its approximately 9,000 students make up part of a larger population of Black college students across the country who often rely on Pell Grants and student loans to fund their education.