Image via Colin Royal

By Jackson Perez Greenleaf, Staff Writer

Morehouse College administration remains solidified in the decision to invite President Joe Biden as the commencement speaker. This decision has sparked controversy among the student body. 

On Tuesday evening, the Bank of America auditorium was packed with students, many voicing strong opposition to the President’s appearance due to his administration’s foreign policy––particularly its support for Israel in the ongoing conflict with Hamas.

Student Concerns and the Ethical Debate

The core of the discontent stems from the conflict in the Middle East, where more than 34,000 Palestinian civilians have reportedly been killed since October. Considering the president’s connection to the conflict, many Morehouse students find Biden’s invitation at odds with the values they believe the college upholds. Morehouse is not only known for its academic excellence, but also for its historical significance in the civil rights movement.

Josiah Harris, a junior Political Science major from Oakland, CA, highlighted the need for direct communication between students and leadership, especially with Morehouse College President David A. Thomas. 

“It is essential that we create spaces and opportunities for students to come and voice their opinions to the president of the college,” Harris said. “President Thomas represents 2,400 young men who traverse through this campus. A lot of these perspectives may be new to [President Thomas], or he may not have thought them through as he admitted today. That doesn’t mean they’re invalid.”

Harris also reflected on the dynamics of the recent town hall meeting. 

“I do think that the voice of reason was there, and the town hall went well. There was a little bit of animosity toward him which came off as disrespectful, and I think he admitted that,” Harris said. “We should have gone about it in a different way.”

The Broader Implications

This controversy at Morehouse reflects a larger national and global debate on the role of educational institutions in political and ethical discourse. Decisions like the invitation of controversial figures can become a gateway for broader issues and questions of institutional values and  alignment with student bodies’ perceptions.

Miles Ross, a senior Political Science major from Valdosta, GA, voiced a strong opposition, highlighting an overlooked aspect of local community leaders and concern over the Morehouse platform being used for political leverage. 

“We have prominent figures in our own community who have done things that are local to Atlanta,” Ross said. “We know [Biden] is going to want to push some kind of political agenda or campaign rhetoric.”

Looking Ahead

As the date of the commencement approaches, the Morehouse College administration faces a dilemma: balancing respect for student concerns with the opportunities and realities of engaging with high-profile leaders. 

Kamar Montgomery, a senior Economics major and senior board trustee, noted the importance of such forums. 

“SGA Town Hall is really for the student body to come into a space where they can voice their concerns about anything that’s happening around Morehouse College,” Montgomery said.

The controversy here at Morehouse is more than just about a commencement speech; it is a representation of the ongoing struggle to align ethical values with real-world decisions and the role of educational institutions in shaping and responding to social justice issues.

Copy Edited by: Colin Royal, Managing Editor of Print