Biden Draws on Themes of Manhood and Faith at Morehouse Commencement

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The president's appearance at the historically Black college in Atlanta drew some respectful but noticeable protest over U.S. support for Israel's war in Gaza.

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Biden Calls on Morehouse College Graduates to Defend Democracy

In a commencement speech at Morehouse, the historically Black men's college in Atlanta, President Biden condemned white supremacy and "extremist forces aligned against the meaning and message of Morehouse."

You started college just as George Floyd was murdered and there was a reckoning on race. It's natural to wonder if democracy you hear about actually works for you. What is democracy if Black men are being killed in the street? What is democracy if the trail of broken promises still leave Black communities behind? What is democracy if you have to be 10 times better than anyone else to get a fair shot? Well that's my commitment to you. To show you democracy, democracy, democracy, is still the way. That Black men are being killed in the streets, we bear witness. For me, that means to call out the poison of white supremacy. Graduates, this is what we're up against: extremist forces aligned against the meaning and message of Morehouse. And they peddle a fiction, a caricature, of what being a man is about — tough talk, abusing power, bigotry. But that's not you. It's not us. You all know and demonstrate what it really means to be a man. Being a man is about strength of respect and dignity. It's about showing up because it's too late, if you have to ask. It's about giving hate no safe harbor.

In a commencement speech at Morehouse, the historically Black men's college in Atlanta, President Biden condemned white supremacy and "extremist forces aligned against the meaning and message of Morehouse."CreditCredit...Michael A. McCoy for The New York Times

By Katie Rogers and Maya King

Katie Rogers and Maya King reported from the Morehouse College commencement ceremony in Atlanta.

President Biden invoked scripture and lessons from his own tragic past on Sunday in a commencement address to hundreds of young Black men at Morehouse College, saying he believes there are "extremist forces aligned against the meaning and message" of the prestigious institution.

Mr. Biden's speech, delivered at the historically Black men's college in Atlanta, put him directly in front of hundreds who represent a slice of the electorate that is drifting away from him over the war in Gaza and growing apathy about their choices ahead of the election. Mr. Biden used the moment to say that manhood was not about "tough talk" and "bigotry" but about calling out hate.

"Their idea of being a man is toxic," Mr. Biden told the graduates, a reference to adversaries he did not name — but, given that his other events this weekend were focused on attacking his Republican competitor, Donald J. Trump, it was little mystery who he was talking about. "That is not you. That is not us. Being a man is about strength and respect and dignity."

Those who stormed the Capitol with Confederate flags "are called patriots by some," he said — a clear reference to Mr. Trump. "Not in my house."

Mr. Biden's speech was his first significant appearance before college students since protests over the war in Gaza began roiling campuses. For a ceremony in which students are discouraged even from decorating their caps, the signs of protest were respectful but noticeable: A small group of graduates turned to sit with their backs to Mr. Biden as he spoke, and several graduates wore the kaffiyeh, a traditional scarf associated with the Palestinians, draped over their shoulders. Some parents urged their graduating sons not to protest.

Mr. Biden also called for an immediate cease-fire and said that his administration was working to secure one. He said that members of his family had been upset by the war, a group that includes Jill Biden, the first lady, who has urged her husband in private to bring a stop to it.

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