HBCUs as a Chance to Celebrate Biden’s Centenary: Addressing the Problems of Israel’s War in Gaza
His visit there has already received pushback from students, who have been critical of Biden in his handling of Israel’s war in Gaza. The university’s president David Thomas told NPR that he would halt the commencement ceremonies altogether if protests became too disruptive.
The Morehouse commencement services were canceled or stopped on the spot due to police taking people out of the event in zip ties.
“The common thread was that they wanted to make sure we’re centering the young people and that the president did that on Sunday,” Benjamin said. “The goal will be to make sure we use this as an opportunity to continue to elevate the amazing work that’s been done at Morehouse.”
He stressed the investments the Biden administration has made in HBCUs. $16 billion has been given to HBCUs since Biden took office.
In his remarks to the NAACP, Biden paid tribute to Morehouse’s history. The college was established after the Civil War to teach freed slaves how to be ministers.
“The founders of Morehouse understood something fundamental: education is linked to freedom,” he said. “To be free means to have something that is never taken away from you.”
What the Obama campaign is saying about the Brown v.. Board of Education case is about the insidious version of the resistance facing Little Rock Nine
Biden blamed former President Donald Trump for naming justices to the Supreme Court who then ended affirmation action for college admissions — and for working to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the country.
In his speech on Friday, Biden told the NAACP that “an extreme movement led by my predecessor and his MAGA allies” was today’s “insidious” version of the resistance faced by the Little Rock Nine in Arkansas, after the Brown decision.
Talking over the phone to Atlanta radio show host Darian “Big Tigger” Morgan for his morning show this week, Biden listed off what he says he’s done for Black Americans, including lowering unemployment rates and cancelling some student debt. He also went after his opponent.
Biden’s win in 2020 was ensured by the black voters of the Democratic party. But if turnout is lower this year compared to four years ago, it could hurt Biden’s chances for reelection.
Biden held a private meeting with plaintiffs and family members of plaintiffs from the Brown case on Thursday at the White House, and on Friday, he gave remarks at an NAACP event marking the Brown anniversary at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He’s going to address an NAACP dinner in Detroit on the weekend.
“We are not, and will not, parachute into these communities at the last minute, expecting their vote,” said Trey Baker, a senior adviser to the campaign, in a memo.
The Biden campaign said the engagement was a signal of how the administration has prioritized issues important to Black voters — and how it is working to earn their support.
The 70th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education case is when the administration of President Biden is most focused on trying to win the support of Black voters who are crucial to his reelection bid.
What Happens When You’re Here: A Trivial Tale of Two Stigmey Boys and a Girl Who Gets What
You can take the quiz. HappyBirthday to the NPR News Quiz! How long have you been playing? If you remember the answer to the bonus question, you should.
Theater: Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot, of the world’s most famous operas, has premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. with a whole new ending.
Music: Alongside her brother Finneas, Billie Eilish tells Morning Edition that she discovered a new self-awareness on her latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft.
Honor Levy’s My First Book is a collection of short stories that is sometimes funny, but also sometimes dull about growing up white, privileged, and Gen Z.
Is it true that evil doesn’t exist? This Japanese eco-drama about the residents of a bucolic woodland community who face off against a developer with big plans for the land will leave you rapt — and profoundly unnerved.
The public and businesses can attend classes at the Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary during rattlesnake season. As people are trained to handle rattlesnakes, they find that everything they know about the creatures is a myth. In April there was a spike in rattlesnake bites in Arizona.
Source: Biden focuses on outreach to Black Americans; Billie Eilish finds herself
Getting the word out about unionization in the South: How Dr. Martin Luther King is coming to the Mississippi, and why does he think so?
In the past, the South was a tough place for unions. The United Auto Workers Union has tried to organize there for decades, but workers just weren’t interested. There’s been discussion about the reason for the jobs being in the region, which is that it’s cheaper to make cars there. But the UAW’s recent wins following the strike against the Big Three automakers, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, has renewed interest in unionizing.
In Louisiana, the drug used in medical abortions could become the first controlled dangerous substance in the country. Federal and state regulations aim to control access based on a drug’s medical necessity and potential for abuse. The bill moving through the Louisiana legislature would create penalties of up to 10 years in prison for anyone caught with the drugs without a valid prescription. In a state with high rates of maternal injury and death, doctors are against the decision because it could lead to fear and confusion among patients.
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A trio of seniors meet on one of the Morehouse quads in a lull between the last classes and the start of finals season.
“We are the COVID class of high school.” So a lot of people didn’t get graduations,” he said. “Now, it feels like our college graduation.” people are focusing more on the speaker.”
Are I happy with Biden? “Not really.” he sighs. “If everything about our graduation happens to be about Biden, it’s not going to be good for us or our families.”
Charles said that some of his friends in his class wanted to join a protest and turned their back on Biden while he spoke. My family has supported me up until this point, and pushed me to this point. I have an obligation to not turn my back.”
“I think it’s kind of insulting that our star alumnus is Dr. [Martin Luther] King, but Biden has been on a tirade in the Middle East,” said DeAngelo Fletcher. “Bringing him here — especially during an election year… to get the young Black vote especially, it’s kind of insulting.”
Hundreds of alumni from the Atlanta HBCU signed a letter, calling on the administration to rescind its invitation to President Biden because of his support of Israel in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The goal of a long peace in the Middle East is shared by the Biden administration. In the last few weeks, Biden has called on Netanyahu to put in place a cease fire so that more aid can be sent to the region.
The Maroon Tiger Student Encampment: “Biden is set for the Morehouse graduation. Students are divided” by Justin Darden
The alumni letter states that inviting President Biden is “a moral disaster and an embarrassment to the college”, despite the fact that the civilian death toll is thousands.
This wouldn’t be the first time students at Atlanta’s Black colleges have protested the conflict in Gaza. Darden said he’s seen a lot of digital protests and some demonstrations on campus.
But Fletcher does not know if he would protest Biden himself. He wants to focus on his family at graduation, just like his two friends.
According to Justin Darden — a senior with Morehouse’s student newspaper, the Maroon Tiger — almost the entire Morehouse senior class is caught in this same limbo.
The Maroon Tiger reported that last fall, students across the Atlanta University Center — made up of Morehouse, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, and Morris Brown College — hosted events in support of Palestinians and demanded their school administrations take stances against the war in Gaza.
Anwar Karim is an organizer involved in some of that planning. But after participating in a student encampment at Emory University that was forcibly cleared by law enforcement, he’s cautious.
He said that there were a lot more melanated people in the area who were targeted than white people. “So we’re taking all of that into consideration as an HBCU.”
Those of us who are standing on the right side of history have morals and we have humanity. The president that is being brought to our school does not reflect how we feel.
Source: Biden is set for the Morehouse graduation. Students are divided
Biden Is Set for the Morehouse Graduation Students Are Divided – an Emory Political Science Contribution to the Georgia Black Voting Debate
He had a huge win on the Super Tuesday in 2020 after winning the Black vote in South Carolina. In Georgia — a swing state — Biden’s looking to spark the same kind of support amongst what has been the Democrats most reliable voting bloc.
“So it’s not surprising at all that he would do this, it’s also not surprising that he would target Morehouse because of concerns that his support is fading, particularly amongst Black men,” said Andra Gillespie, an Emory political scientist.
Presidents and first ladies have long used HBCU commencements to convey an agenda, she said, and that tracks back as far as the 1960s. Biden is following in the footsteps of former President Barack Obama and his wife, first lady, who expanded this type of outreach.
She said there was probably a political reason why this particular audience was chosen. Biden can win people over by making a really emotional and passionate speech.
Morehouse extended a formal invitation to the White House in September, before the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel. He said he didn’t change his mind even though calls for Thomas to scrap the invitation grew.
Morehouse has a duty to not cancel or alter graduation, as other schools have done, according to him. Morehouse would become a “plain, creamy institution” according to his words.
Source: Biden is set for the Morehouse graduation. Students are divided
The Role of Blackness in Joe Biden’s Distinction with the House Mystique and How He’s Behaving
Speaking at a press briefing at the White House Thursday, Benjamin also said President Biden respects people’s right to protest and he “makes it a point to lean in when there are protesters in the very same space.”
Ronald David said that “Joe Biden has done things that may have been seen as controversial in his past.” “But still, it’s important for you to have those people that you might not necessarily agree with.”
He says if it were his graduation, he’d rather have someone Black — echoing a widespread sentiment on campus. David says that Biden might learn something from the “morehouse mystique”.
“Simply because we don’t agree with Joe Biden or think that he’s the best speaker, it’s important for not to shun him or say that he isn’t the best speaker, instead of welcoming that unity.”
