Faculty at Morehouse College are expressing their opposition to President Biden delivering the school’s commencement address in light of his ongoing support for Israel amid the war in Gaza. Some professors at the historically black college have stated that they will not be seen next to the Democratic president and are vehemently against sitting on a stage with him. The 15-person faculty council at Morehouse recently wrote a letter to the school’s president, expressing their disappointment with Biden’s selection for the address.
The school held an emergency call to address the potential fallout from the faculty’s objections to Biden speaking at the commencement ceremony. Morehouse Provost Kendrick Brown believes that having a sitting president speak at the school offers an incredible opportunity that aligns with Morehouse’s mission of engaging in social justice issues and moral concerns. Biden and his team are anticipating widespread anti-Israel protests during his remarks, and Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged the challenging moment that the country is in but emphasized the importance of delivering an encouraging and uplifting message to the graduates and their families.
Colleges and universities across the country are facing challenges as their campuses are disrupted by sit-ins and protest encampments from anti-Israel students and faculty. Some schools like the University of Texas at Austin have responded forcefully, while others have allowed demonstrations to take place without intervention. Columbia University has taken a middle course by initially calling the NYPD to clear encampments but then allowing them to reconstitute. Morehouse College is grappling with how to handle potential disruptions during Biden’s commencement address.
President Biden is also scheduled to give a commencement address at West Point, adding to the concerns about potential protests and disruptions. In a time when tensions are high regarding issues such as the war in Gaza, colleges and universities are navigating how to address student and faculty activism alongside high-profile speakers like the President. Morehouse College is at the center of this debate as faculty members express their strong objections to Biden speaking at their commencement ceremony.
As the commencement date approaches, Morehouse College is working to address the concerns of faculty members who oppose President Biden’s presence at the graduation ceremony. The school’s response to the objections and potential protests during Biden’s address will likely set a precedent for how other universities handle similar situations in the future. The tensions surrounding Biden’s speech at Morehouse College reflect larger societal debates about Israel, social justice, and the role of activism on college campuses. Ultimately, the controversy surrounding Biden’s commencement address highlights the complexities of navigating political and social issues within academic institutions.