President Joe Biden will be the commencement speaker at Morehouse College in Georgia, a historically Black campus, on May 19. This event will give the Democrat a spotlight on a key election year opportunity to strengthen his support among racially diverse voters who helped him win the Oval Office. Biden will also address the graduating class at the United States Military Academy at West Point on May 25. However, his appearance at Morehouse may be met with some form of protest, as there are concerns that faculty and students might organize demonstrations around his visit due to various reasons, including his support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas.
This will be the second consecutive year that President Biden has spoken at the graduation ceremony of a historically Black school. In 2023, he delivered the commencement address at Howard University, the alma mater of Vice President Kamala Harris. Morehouse College, part of the Atlanta University Center, is the alma mater of Sen. Raphael Warnock, Georgia’s first Black U.S. senator, who celebrated Biden’s selection for the commencement speech. Warnock expressed excitement and honor for the president’s return to the state, expecting Biden to deliver a timely and forward-looking message to the graduating class.
Biden’s visit to Morehouse College comes at a crucial time as polls have indicated that he needs to work on generating the same levels of Black support he received in 2020, especially among younger voters. Loss of Black support could prove detrimental in a potential rematch against former President Donald Trump, as seen in key battleground states like Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The combined enrollment at Morehouse and other schools in the Atlanta University Center is around 9,000 students, potentially reflecting a significant voting bloc that could impact future elections.
The Biden administration has been actively targeting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) since taking office in 2021. Through policy initiatives and increased federal funding, the administration aims to address issues facing Black college students, such as student loan debt and access to financial aid. Black college students are disproportionately reliant on Pell Grants and student loans, facing greater debt burdens compared to their white counterparts. By focusing on HBCUs, Biden and his team hope to make higher education more accessible and affordable for Black students, addressing broader racial disparities in income and wealth across the nation.
The historical context of HBCUs underscores the importance of institutions like Morehouse College in providing educational opportunities to Black students who faced systemic barriers to access higher education. Founded in the post-Civil War era, HBCUs played a crucial role in offering education to Black Americans when many predominantly white institutions barred their admission. Morehouse was established in 1867, and alongside Spelman College, its neighboring women’s school, has a rich history of empowering Black scholars. Biden’s visit to Morehouse symbolizes the ongoing commitment to supporting HBCUs and addressing racial inequities in education that continue to affect Black students.
In conclusion, President Joe Biden’s upcoming commencement address at Morehouse College signifies a strategic effort to strengthen his support among Black voters and address key issues facing historically Black institutions. As Biden navigates a challenging political landscape, his engagement with HBCUs reflects a broader commitment to racial equity and educational access. The event at Morehouse College serves as a reminder of the legacy and significance of HBCUs in empowering Black students and communities, highlighting the ongoing efforts to advance social and economic justice in America.
