President Joe Biden. Img source: hbcubuzz.com
May 15, 2024 Story by: Editor
WASHINGTON — In preparation for President Joe Biden’s upcoming commencement speech at Morehouse College, a senior White House official, Steve Benjamin of the Office of Public Engagement, convened with a select group of students and faculty members on Friday, addressing concerns voiced by some within the college community, according to sources from both the White House and Morehouse administration. Source: NBCNews
Among the concerns raised during the meeting was the worry that Biden’s presence might overshadow the significance of the students’ graduation ceremony, with specific apprehension about potential focus on controversies surrounding Biden’s policies towards Israel and the Gaza Strip conflict, as disclosed by the White House official.
Furthermore, students expressed a desire to steer clear of what they perceived as a campaign-style speech, seeking reassurance that Biden’s address would primarily celebrate their achievements and offer aspirations for their future endeavors.
These details shed light on the complexities faced by the Biden administration during college commencement season, particularly amid ongoing protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza across various campuses nationwide. Biden is slated to deliver addresses at both Morehouse College and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point later this month.
Biden’s visit to Morehouse aligns with efforts by his re-election campaign to garner support from young and Black voters, especially in battleground states like Georgia, where recent polls indicate a softening of support from these demographics since 2020.
The meeting at Morehouse, attended by nine students and faculty members, aimed to provide a platform for diverse perspectives regarding Biden’s selection as the commencement speaker. Despite the range of opinions expressed, both the White House and Morehouse officials described the gathering as constructive.
Benjamin reportedly emphasized the Biden administration’s efforts to support college students and Black communities nationwide, promising to relay the students’ feedback to the White House, although the impact of the meeting on participants’ opinions remains uncertain.
While Morehouse College has not witnessed significant protests following the announcement of Biden as the commencement speaker, Friday’s meeting was arranged preemptively in anticipation of potential objections from certain quarters of the college community.
Overall, both the White House and Morehouse officials view the meeting as a positive step towards addressing concerns and fostering productive dialogue within the Morehouse community.
