Associated Press
When he gives the commencement address at Morehouse College, President Joe Biden will have his most direct engagement with college students since the start of the Israel-Hamas war at a center of Black politics and culture.
Morehouse is located in Atlanta, the largest city in the swing state of Georgia, which Biden flipped from then-President Donald Trump four years ago. Biden’s speech Sunday will come as the Democrat tries to make inroads with a key and symbolic constituency — young Black men — and repair the diverse coalition that elected him to the White House.
The announcement of the speech last month triggered peaceful protests and calls for the university administration to cancel over Biden’s handling of the war between Israel and Hamas. Some students at Morehouse and other historically Black campuses in Atlanta say they vociferously oppose Biden and the decision to have him speak, mirroring the tension Biden faces in many communities of color and with young voters nationally.
The speech comes at a critical moment for Biden in his general election rematch against Trump, a Republican. Biden is lagging in support among both Black voters and people under 30, groups that were key to his narrow 2020 victories in several battleground states, including Georgia.
Fifty-five percent of Black adults approved of the way Biden is handling his job as president, according to an AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll in March, a figure far below earlier in his presidency. Overall, 32% of 18- to 29-year-olds approved in the same poll.
Sunday’s speech will culminate a four-day span during which Biden will concentrate on reaching Black communities. On Thursday, Biden met privately with plaintiffs from the Brown v. Board of Education case that barred legal segregation of America’s public schools. The following day, Biden will address an NAACP gathering commemorating the 70th anniversary of the landmark decision.
Whether Morehouse graduates or other students protest Biden or disrupt the ceremony remains to be seen. Student protest leaders say they are unaware of any plans to demonstrate inside during the commencement.
Morehouse’s President promised that forms of protest at commencement that “do not disrupt ceremonies” will not result in sanctions for any students.
But he also vowed to end the program early if disruptions grow.
“We will not — on Morehouse’s campus — create a national media moment,” he said, “where our inability to manage these tensions leads to people being taken out of a Morehouse ceremony in zip ties by law enforcement.”
___
Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
23 comments
My Take
May 18, 2024 at 4:44 pm
Don’t like Biden? Because while he likes you, he has let the Palestinians down.
Then vote for the Klan’s favorite, Trump.
Or don’t vote.
See where those get you.
Impeach Biden
May 18, 2024 at 5:07 pm
Biden is a coward. Putin knows it. Hamas knows it. Iran knows it. China knows it. Afghanistan knows it. That’s why our foreign policy is a complete failure.
Ocean Joe
May 19, 2024 at 7:24 am
Trump set the stage for Afghanistan. He reduced troop levels to 2,500. He signed a deal to release thousands of Al Quedans from prison (they are the ones who killed our 13 servicement, not the Taliban). His agreement undercut the Afghan national army and government who were not even a party to his “deal.” The art of the deal was to abandon an ally. Biden followed through and a losing proposition, our longest war, is finally over.
Impeach Biden
May 19, 2024 at 8:14 am
The withdrawal was poorly handled by the CIC. I remember Biden checking his watch as those 13 servicemen were taken off the airplane at Dover AFB. He is a clown.
Silly Wabbit
May 19, 2024 at 9:55 am
You clown.
rick whitaker
May 19, 2024 at 12:59 pm
HOWLER MONKEY, did you not read OJ’s post? he explained it to you , but it must of just went over your 15 year old girl head.
rick whitaker
May 20, 2024 at 5:31 pm
HOWLER MONKEY, ARE YOU HOWLING ABOUT THINGS YOU KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT?
Barbara
May 18, 2024 at 8:34 pm
There’s a guy who changed his name to literally anyone else and has to ask us to write him in as a candidate. He is a fifth grade teacher quite frankly. He’s probably smarter than the both of them come by.
Ocean Joe
May 19, 2024 at 7:25 am
You have a choice. It may be lousy, but dont be a Naderite nincompoop Barb.
Julia
May 18, 2024 at 5:48 pm
US Dollar 2,000 in a Single Online Day Due to its position, the United States offers a plethora of opportunities for those seeking employment. With so many options accessible, it might be difficult to know where to start. You may choose the ideal online housekeeping strategy with the vs-12 help of this post.
Begin here>>>>>>>>>>>>>> growyourself55.blogspot.com
My Take
May 18, 2024 at 11:31 pm
Biden — At worst, mediocre.
Trump — At best, mentally ill.
At worst, malevolent.
Or for the Trumpvangelicals, demonic.
Ocean Joe
May 19, 2024 at 5:52 am
If Trump wins, as I expect, he will have immunity for his Jan 6 treason and other cases and possible exemption from levies against his wealth to pay his debt to EJ Carroll. If a Republican succeeds him in office he’ll get another 4-8 years, and can argue that he is mentally incompetent to stand trial after that, if not before.
The party of Law and Order is now the protector of corruption.
And we Democrats let it all happen by standing by while our favorite octogenarian took another turn, putting it all on the line when he should have stepped aside. We are the party of Mondale, Dukakis, McGovern, and Kerry when we lose; the party of centrists like Clinton and Carter when we win. We have damaged America by setting Trump up for re-election.
Tom
May 19, 2024 at 10:14 am
I suspect he only ran to dodge his legal troubles (and the associated millions in penalties) but what I find remarkable is that so many people seem to have forgotten what a buffoon he is and just normalized his stupidity. Biden, on the other hand, is doing an RBG and overstaying his welcome. Sadly, I think trump will win and we’ll be stuck with his clown show again and yes, it’s our fault for being so stupid.
Elvis Pitts "AMERICA'S BIG VOICE ON THE RIGHT" American
May 19, 2024 at 10:06 am
Good Morn ‘Ting America,
Biden has lost 50% of America’s Black population. Our Great Nation’s beloved Black men have been left behind by the 08iden Sad-Ministration to the point in which they can no longer afford to live in America and support their families. What with the inflation, New Green Deal, funding of the Border Crossers, Federal funding being frittered away on Ukraine ect…ect…ect the Black man as an entire race of Americans is financially “Under Water”.
If I, Elvis Pitts American, were advising the 08iden Sad-Ministeation I would have those “Shadowy Demonic Creatures” avoid this Commencement Speach at Morehouse alltogether and stay away from allowing 8iden to comment on Any Black Americans as even single Black women who are head of household can no longer afford the basics of food, houseing, childern’s school fees, ect… ect…ect.
Its all about Iran, Ukraine, Queers, DEI, sexual mutalation of kids, murder of unborn babies, illegal border crosser spending…ect…ect…ect.
The Black man and Black families have been given the shaft up the tater whole by the 08iden Sad-Ministration to fund the above “Demonic Dook 4 Brains Leftist 08iden Adgendas” and are just expected to take it on the chin by not crossing over and voting for Trump?????
Oh HEII To The NO.
Thank you America,
Elvis [FKA Earl] Pitts American
*you white boy lefty posters better not say anything to dispute my undisputable truth*
Speedy Gonzalez
May 19, 2024 at 10:56 am
Good morning Senior Elvis,
My Cousin SloPoke is the thanking for you to be telling how the blaxk america is thinking so mucho for the Biden El Presidente of USA.
Our countrys El Presidente is only shooting our Hispanic dark skin colors for fail of vote for El Presidente.
So mucho different in De La Estatas Unitios, SG y SPG
rick whitaker
May 19, 2024 at 12:20 pm
RACIST COMMENT BY EARL/ELVIS/SPEEDY GONZALAS/ THE SPHINCTER MAN
Impeach Biden
May 20, 2024 at 7:03 am
Angry, bitter, and clueless Dick Whitaker with more inane comments.
rick whitaker
May 20, 2024 at 10:28 am
HOWLER MONKEY , well let me break your lame comment down. yes i am angry that maga is attempting to ruin the country. i’m not bitter. i have had a great life, nothing to complain about. clueless, well that depends on the subject, brain surgery, yes i’m clueless in that field. inane comment, no i let you take care of that. you are the king of inane comments. so, what’s your point HOWLER MONKEY?
rick whitaker
May 19, 2024 at 1:03 pm
ANOTHER STUPID COMMENT BY EARL, ELVIS, SPHINCTER MAN, SPEEDY GONZALAS
Elvis Pitts "AMERICA'S BIG VOICE ON THE RIGHT" American
May 19, 2024 at 1:20 pm
Thank you, my fine employee Rick, your wackey fake leftist commentary always elevates my standing as Ameeica’s Go-To-Political-Guru.
Thanks again, R9ck, your The Best at making ME THE BEST!!@
Elvis Pitts American
rick whitaker
May 19, 2024 at 1:31 pm
ANOTHER STUPID COMMENT BY EARL, ELVIS, SPHINCTER MAN, AND WHATEVER NEW FAKE NAME HE COMES UP WITH.
Elvis Pitts "AMERICA'S BIG VOICE ON THE RIGHT" American
May 19, 2024 at 2:24 pm
…… see America excellance in action.
No Y’all cant hire Rick he works for me.
EPA
rick whitaker
May 20, 2024 at 5:11 pm
ANOTHER STUPID AND HUMORLESS COMMENT BY EARL, ELVIS, SPHINCTER MAN
Comments are closed.