With the race for the White House heating up and war in Gaza at the forefront, Morehouse College will soon announce that President Joe Biden will deliver the commencement address to the all-men HBCU on May 19, according to NBC News.
But the announcement isn’t coming without some concerns from some faculty members about how the White House has dealt with Israel’s war with Hamas, the report says.
In the email on Friday, Provost Kendrick Brown acknowledged receiving inquiries from “concerned faculty about rumors” regarding Biden’s selection as the commencement speaker. Brown stated he would convene a virtual meeting on April 25 “to extend an opportunity for faculty with different perspectives…to ask questions and make comments.” Students will also engage with college president David Thomas.
One faculty member told NBC News there are concerns that administrators expect faculty to join students in protesting Biden during the ceremony. The pushback comes amid growing campus protests over Biden’s support for Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.
The protests have already forced Biden and other top officials to scale back college campus appearances. Commencement speeches provide presidents an opportunity to reach young audiences and highlight accomplishments, taking on added significance during election years.
However, Biden’s addresses this year are expected to be fraught due to the Gaza protests and his refusal to call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire without conditions. Polling also shows waning enthusiasm among younger and Black voters regarding his candidacy.
According to those familiar with the situation, speaking at the Historically Black Morehouse could provide an “opportunity” for the president amid these challenges. The White House declined to comment.
Brown’s email stated Morehouse extended the invitation to Biden in September and does not plan to rescind it despite the concerns. Thursday’s meeting aims to discuss the invitation and respond to faculty questions.
The situation underscores the tensions surrounding Biden’s campus speeches as college protests over the Gaza crisis intersect with his re-election endeavors and struggles to energize key voter blocks.
This report has information reported by NBC News