A short critique of President Joe Biden's Morehouse Commencement speech
Get the Point!
During his commencement speech this morning at Morehouse College, President Biden reminded the crowd that he has called for an immediate cease fire in Gaza, and is working to increase humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians in the region.
President Joe Biden in Morehouse robe on the Morehouse graduation stage earlier today…
The problem, from my view and many others, is that American military equipment continues to flow to the very Israeli Defense Forces that have destroyed the region, killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians, and displaced hundreds of thousands more since last October. Thus, the conundrum—Biden talking peace on the one hand—while supplying the goods for war and standing in lock step with the Netanyahu administration in Israel on the other. Talk, mind you, on the sacred grounds of a College known for producing humanitarian titans for peace like Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman, Rev. Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King!
While the Morehouse commencement had none of the disruptions that have marked graduation ceremonies at other elite colleges across America this spring, DeAngelo Freeman, a Chicago native and the 2024 Class Valedictorian, used his speech to demand an immediate cease fire in Gaza while President Biden sat at rapt attention!
Simply stated, President Biden is no different than any of his presidential predecessors in office when it comes to the Middle East post World War II, and I have little to no faith that this latest war will end--or that a two state solution will come into being anytime soon. And yet, as hope springs eternal, I will continue to use my small platform to push the Biden administration to have the courage to stand for justice and humanity in Gaza!
Separately, while I do not think that the Biden administration has done enough to broker peace in Gaza, I do recognize the positive things that it has done to improve the economy, the nation's infrastructure, supporting civil and women's rights here at home, and promoting HBCU's over the past four years. I also recognize that Donald Trump is NOT a viable alternative because he and his Project '25 conservative friends are actively working to undermine democracy and two of its main pillars—a free press and an independent judicial system. Thus, I will vote for Joe Biden come November, while continuing to question areas in which he is falling short, such as Gaza!
We must continue to critique our leaders, whether we approve or disapprove of them. Keep critiquing brother. I enjoyed it.
I agree wirh your criticism and I agree that we must call our elected reps, in my case Senators Kaine and Warner. What infuriates me is the people saying that they won't vote because of Gaza. Have they looked at the entire world, Sudan, Haiti, South America, Russian TV talking about taking Finland, Poland and even Alaska? Their tunnel vision could elect Trump. They won't be protesting then, they could be in an internment camp. I wonder how many of those people have spent any time in a country that had an authoritarian government and informers? I understand the need for protest, but I also understand a big picture, which others need to consider. Thank you for your column, I look forward to each one.