President Biden’s speech at Morehouse College’s commencement stirred controversy, with critics labeling a portion of his address as divisive “race baiting.”
Despite the presence of anti-Israel protesters, the president addressed the HBCU’s graduating class and discussed issues such as George Floyd and the enduring racism faced by Black Americans in the nation.
Biden said, “You missed your high school graduation. You started college just as George Floyd was murdered, and there was a reckoning on race.”
Biden added, “It’s natural to wonder if the ‘democracy’ you hear about actually works for you. What is democracy? That Black men are being killed in the street.”
He continued, “What is democracy? The trail of broken promises still leaves Black communities behind. What is democracy? You have to be ten times better than anyone else to get a fair shot. Most of all, what does it mean? As you’ve heard before, to be a Black man who loves his country even if it doesn’t love him back in equal measure.”
“They don’t see you in the future of America. But they’re wrong,” he added.
The audience responded with applause to his statement.
Adam Coleman, the founder of Wrong Speak Publishing, wrote, “Imagine working hard for years to graduate from college and Joe Biden shows up on your day of celebration to remind you that you’re a victim and America doesn’t love you because you’re black.”
Buzz Patterson, a columnist for RedState, remarked, “Biggest racist on the planet. Argue with me.”
Accusations were made against Biden for using the speech to appeal to Black voters. Upon his announcement as the commencement speaker in April, students and professors swiftly demanded the college to cancel the speech.
Subsequently, social media users criticized Biden for seemingly portraying the United States as racist and belittling Black students.
Miranda Devine, a reporter for the New York Post, wrote, “This sums him up.”
Kristan Hawkins, the president of Students for Life, stated, “This race baiting is disgusting.”
“Biden insults us by seeing all minorities as victims, incapable of competing, and all whites as oppressors. Never mind that countless have benefited immeasurably from American principles, our free market, and yes, democracy. Are we perfect nation? No, but show me a better one,” Daniel Garza, the president of the Libre Initiative, explained.
Tom Fitton, the president of Judicial Watch, wrote, “BLM-style race hustler that promotes anti-American racial division, discrimination and segregation lectures on racism.”
While delivering the speech, a few Morehouse students and faculty protested by turning their backs on Biden. The protest, although limited in scale, did not disrupt his address other than the symbolic gesture.
This small protest highlighted the ongoing tensions on college campuses nationwide, where anti-Israel demonstrations have led to the cancellation of some commencement ceremonies.
