Biden invokes race in speech at Morehouse College graduation

President Joe Biden spoke at the Morehouse College graduation ceremony on Sunday, discussing race and the war in Gaza, among other matters.

Biden’s commencement address to the historically black college in Atlanta, Georgia, did not feature any interruptions, despite concerns after fiery anti-Israel protests on campuses across the country in the past month. The president congratulated the assembled graduating class, telling them they were joining a sacred tradition by receiving a degree from Morehouse College.

During the speech, Biden invoked race several times — crediting the anguish over the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 for his decision to enter public service. King was a graduate of Morehouse College.

“Dr. King’s legacy had a profound impact on me and my generation, whether you’re black or white. I left the fancy law firm I just joined and decided to become a public defender, and then a county council working to change our state’s politics — to embrace the cause of civil rights,” Biden said.

“The Democratic Party in Delaware was a southern Democratic Party at the time. We wanted to change it to become a northeastern Democratic Party.”

Touting the diversity in his administration, Biden pointed out his appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first black woman on the Supreme Court and Vice President Kamala Harris as the first black, female vice president.

Biden said he was “proud to put in the first Black woman on the United States Supreme Court” and that “no doubt one day a Morehouse man will be on that court as well.”

“No doubt a Morehouse man will be president one day — just after an AKA from Howard,” Biden added, in reference to Harris, who was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a historically Black sorority, during her time at Howard University.

He acknowledged student protests over the war in Gaza, saying that he heard their pleas — even as he faced silent protests during his speech. Biden also touted his administration’s policies — specifically on race and funding for HBCUs.

“I’ve walked the picket line and defended the rights of workers. I’m relieving the burden of student debt — many of you already had the benefit of it,” Biden said. “And the Supreme Court told me I couldn’t, I found two other ways to do it.”

“And I, in addition to the original $7 billion investment HBCUs, I’m investing 16 billion more dollars for our history because you’re vital to our nation,” he added.

Biden also denounced people who he claims are attacking freedoms, taking aim at voting laws in Georgia.

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“Today in Georgia, they won’t allow water to be available to you while you wait in line to vote in the election. What the hell’s that all about? I’m serious, think about it,” Biden said. “And then constant attacks on black election workers who count your vote, insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol with Confederate flags are called patriots by some. Not in my house.”

He also took direct aim at former President Donald Trump, denouncing his election opponent’s remarks about illegal immigrants “poisoning” the blood of the country.