ATLANTA – On May 19, 2024, President Joe Biden delivered the commencement address at Morehouse College, a historically black men’s college. The event was highly anticipated, as it was seen as a chance for Biden to address young black voters’ concerns and reaffirm his commitment to the black community. However, the speech was primarily seen as a missed opportunity to connect with this crucial demographic.
The speech came when Biden’s support among black voters was slipping. Recent polls show that only 71 percent of black voters who went to college said they favor Biden over Trump, compared to the 91 percent who supported him in 2020. This decline in support is particularly pronounced among young black voters, who were instrumental in Biden’s election in 2020.
During the speech, Biden touted his administration’s efforts to invest in black families and communities, cut child poverty, expand work opportunities, reduce prescription drug prices, and cut student loan debt. He also discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. However, these topics did not resonate with many in the audience.
DeAngelo Jeremiah Fletcher, the class valedictorian, expressed his disappointment in the speech. “It is my stance as a Morehouse man—nay as a human being—to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip,” he said. Other students and faculty members echoed this sentiment, feeling that Biden’s speech did not adequately address the concerns of the black community.
Biden’s speech was also criticized for lacking direct engagement with the audience. “While the president did address some issues relevant to the black community, he did not directly address the specific concerns of the Morehouse community,” said Anwar Karim, a sophomore studying film at Morehouse and a member of Atlanta University Center Students for Justice in Palestine.
Ultimately, Biden’s Morehouse speech was seen as a missed opportunity to connect with young black voters and address their specific concerns. As the 2024 election approaches, Biden will need to find a way to regain the support of this crucial demographic if he hopes to secure a second term.
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