Biden’s Morehouse College graduation invitation draws backlash
LA TimesPresident Biden will be the commencement speaker at Morehouse College in Atlanta, giving the Democrat a key spotlight on one of the nation’s preeminent historically Black campuses but potentially exposing him to uncomfortable protests as he seeks reelection against former President Trump. Hours after the invitation became public, Morehouse alumni began circulating an online letter critical of the administration’s invitation to Biden and seeking signatures to pressure Morehouse President David Thomas to rescind it. “If the college cannot affirm this noble tradition of justice by rescinding its invitation to President Biden, then the college should reconsider its attachment to Dr. King.” Late last week, before the school and the White House formally announced commencement plans, Morehouse Provost Kendrick Brown, Thomas’ top lieutenant, sent an email to all faculty acknowledging concerns about “rumors” and affirming that the school issued the invitation to Biden in September. Warnock, in his reaction to Biden’s invitation, played up his work with the president “to address the high costs of higher education.” Reflecting the nation’s overall racial gaps in income and net worth, Black college students are disproportionately dependent on Pell Grants, which typically cover only a fraction of college costs, and student loans.