During Morehouse College’s commencement ceremony, President Joe Biden expressed his support for an “immediate and permanent cease-fire” in Gaza by applauding the valedictorian’s call for peace.
Leading up to graduation at Morehouse, an esteemed historically Black men’s college in Atlanta, numerous students expressed their opposition to Biden speaking at the ceremony. They were disheartened by his administration’s management of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
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During the commencement, DeAngelo Fletcher, the valedictorian of Morehouse, delivered an impassioned speech where he fearlessly expressed his stance on the conflict.
During this time of crisis, we witnessed an overwhelming display of grief from people all over the world, united in their call for the freedom of hostages and the remembrance of those who lost their lives. This collective voice, which resonated across borders and languages, serves as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity. As a proud Morehouse alumnus and simply as a human being, I strongly advocate for an urgent and lasting ceasefire in the Gaza strip.
Biden seemed to show support for Fletcher’s remarks, which garnered applause from numerous graduates.
Fletcher concluded his remarks by urging the people of this world to sing the song of righteous justice.
The generational divide became apparent during the graduation ceremony, as younger alumni expressed skepticism about the invitation extended to Biden. In contrast, older alumni and prominent university figures overwhelmingly showed their support for Biden’s presence at Morehouse.
During a recent NPR interview, Morehouse College President David Thomas expressed his readiness to halt the ceremony if disruptions escalated to the point where police intervention may be necessary.
In a recent interview, he expressed his strong opposition to the idea of law enforcement disrupting the commencement ceremony at Morehouse College. He emphasized that their main goal is to ensure that everyone can fully participate in the event without any disturbances. Instead of resorting to drastic measures like having police remove individuals in zip ties, he believes it would be better to cancel or halt the ceremony if such situations arise.
Thomas mentioned during the interview that individuals would be allowed to engage in silent, non-disruptive protests while Biden delivers his speech.
As the president delivered his speech, a number of graduates chose to express their dissent by turning their backs, according to The Atlanta Voice. Additionally, several Morehouse graduates donned keffiyeh scarves, a symbolic gesture of solidarity with Palestinians, as part of their graduation attire.
During his speech, Biden acknowledged that he had heard the voices of the graduates in regards to Gaza.
“I hear them, I truly do. The situation in Gaza is a humanitarian crisis,” he emphasized. “That’s why I am passionately advocating for an immediate cease-fire to put an end to the ongoing conflict. Our utmost priority should be to bring the hostages back safely to their homes.”
The support of the Israeli government by Biden’s administration during the conflict has led to a decline in Biden’s popularity among young voters. The extensive damage and loss of lives in Gaza have caused many young people to oppose his stance.
Georgia, a crucial swing state that Biden emerged victorious in during the 2020 election, faces a potential challenge that could significantly impact the level of enthusiasm surrounding his campaign. This issue has the potential to particularly affect young and Black voters, two essential groups whose support is crucial for Biden’s success in securing the state in the upcoming election.
