U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Morehouse College, a historically Black men's college in Georgia, on May 19, according to White House officials. Despite facing criticism from some faculty and students over his Israel policies, the White House has confirmed that Biden has no plans to cancel his appearance.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized Biden's commitment to the event, stating, "He's looking forward to doing that. It is such an important moment in time." Morehouse College spokesperson Jasmine Gurley echoed this sentiment, stating that no changes were planned regarding Biden's speech and that they were "moving full speed ahead."
However, not all members of the Morehouse community are in favor of Biden's visit. Miles Ross, a senior at the college, expressed his opposition, describing Biden's visit as "clearly a political move." Ross highlighted the strong sentiments on campus regarding issues such as Palestine, Gaza, and Congo, suggesting that Biden could face scrutiny and criticism if he addresses these topics.
Biden's visit to Morehouse College is seen as part of his efforts to strengthen support among Black voters ahead of the November presidential election, where he is currently tied with former President Donald Trump in national polls. Vice President Kamala Harris has also embarked on a nationwide tour to promote the administration's policies to Black voters, particularly men.
The invitation to Biden has sparked controversy among some Morehouse faculty members and students, who are calling for the college to withdraw its invitation due to the Biden administration's support for Israel's actions in Gaza. Jared Loggins, a professor at Amherst College and Morehouse alumnus, criticized the invitation as a "moral disaster," especially considering the anti-military views of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent Morehouse College alum.
Despite the criticism, Tom Perez, a senior adviser to Biden, emphasized Biden's connection with Morehouse College and Rev. King, stating that Biden's world view was shaped by his involvement in the civil rights movement. Perez also highlighted the administration's ongoing engagement with Arab and Muslim communities in various states.