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Joe Biden Delivers Commencement Speech at Morehouse College
On Sunday, at the commencement ceremony of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Joe Biden addressed numerous Black male graduates, quoting from the Holy Scripture and reflecting on his personal hardships. During his speech, he cautioned about unknown “extremist forces” attempting to undermine the eminent college’s significant messages and objectives.
Speaking Out Against Toxic Masculinity and Hate
The primary audience consisted of diverse groups from Biden’s electoral pool, some of whom have become disenchanted with him due to the conflict in Gaza. The U.S president shared his belief that manhood shouldn’t be characterized by bigotry and aggressive dialogue but by standing against hatred.
President Biden subtly alluded to his political formidable opponents, primarily Donald J. Trump, while criticizing an ‘unhealthy’ concept of manhood prevalent among certain groups. He argued that being a man should represent honor, respect, and power.
Biden’s First Address to University Students since Gaza Conflict
For a conventional ceremony which usually does not encourage students to personalize their graduation attire, signs of protest against Biden were noticeable but respectful. Biden pleaded for a quick end to the conflict and assured his audience that his administration was actively attempting to achieve this. He also shared about his family’s distress over the war, including that of the first lady, Jill Biden, who had privately urged him to end the conflict. The university issued a statement acknowledging the influence of conversations with White House officials on Biden’s speech and his appeal for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Biden’s Efforts to Correct Inequalities and Advocacy for Black history
Biden recalled his lifelong efforts to confront inequalities throughout his career as a Public Defender, Senator, and President. He highlighted several achievements of his government that he believes are undercredited, such as reducing the poverty rate among Black children and forgiving substantial amounts of student loan debt.
Commemorating Personal Tragedies and Remembering Dr. King
By narrating his personal stories of perseverance and faith through adversity, Biden differentiated himself from Trump. Notably, he recalled the sorrow of losing his first wife, daughter, and eldest son, Beau, to brain cancer.
Morehouse College’s Reception to Biden
Morehouse College’s culture is rooted in tradition; it’s prideful of its legacy of fighting for social justice. Biden walked into the Morehouse graduation ceremony uncertain of the kind of reception he would receive. However, towards the end of the ceremony, Biden’s plea to the graduates appeared to have connected with the audience, with some members chanting “four more years” as he departed from the stage.
Steep Decline of Support from Black Voters
Biden’s approval ratings have significantly dropped among Black voters compared to when he was elected in 2020, according to Pew Research Center. The conflicts in Gaza and economic concerns are believed to be key factors contributing to this dip.
Both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been actively planning events outside of Washington to regain these voters. Recent polls in Michigan, one of the significant battleground states, reveals a severe decrease in support from Black voters for Biden.
Urgency to Acknowledge Biden’s Commitments
The founder of a strategic communications company in Detroit and a former Democrat National Committee delegate, Alexis Wiley, stressed the importance of the Biden administration doing a better job of acknowledging its achievements.
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