Morehouse College Faculty Raises Concerns Over President Biden’s Commencement Address

President Joe Biden’s upcoming commencement address at Morehouse College is causing a stir among faculty members, with some expressing concerns about the decision. The announcement of Biden as the speaker for the May 19 event has prompted discussions and even potential protests among the college community.

According to an email sent by Morehouse College’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, Kendrick Brown, faculty members have raised questions about the selection of President Biden as the commencement speaker. Brown has scheduled a virtual meeting to allow faculty members to voice their perspectives on the decision and engage with college leadership.

The controversy surrounding Biden’s address comes at a time of heightened tensions on college campuses over the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Protests against Biden’s support for Israel have led to scaled-back appearances by the president and other administration officials at college campuses across the country.

Despite the pushback, Morehouse College has confirmed that it will not rescind its invitation to President Biden. The decision to invite Biden was made in September, and the college plans to announce him as the commencement speaker this week.

The upcoming commencement address is seen as an opportunity for President Biden to connect with young audiences, particularly as he faces challenges with younger and Black voters. However, the controversy surrounding his stance on the Gaza conflict has added a layer of complexity to his speeches this year.

While some students and faculty members are critical of Biden’s handling of the Gaza conflict, others are excited to have a sitting president as their commencement speaker. The upcoming meeting at Morehouse College will provide a forum for discussion and address questions about the invitation extended to President Biden.

As the commencement season approaches, the controversy surrounding Biden’s address at Morehouse College highlights the intersection of politics, activism, and academia on college campuses. The event is sure to be closely watched as President Biden navigates the complexities of addressing a diverse and politically engaged audience.