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Students, Faculty, and Alum Urge Morehouse to Rescind Biden’s Commencement Invite
NNPA NEWSWIRE: Concerned alumni invoke one of the college’s most famous graduates. “In inviting President Biden to campus, the college affirms a cruel standard that complicity in genocide merits no sanction from the institution that produced one of the towering advocates for non-violence of the 20th century in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 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.”
The post Students, Faculty, and Alum Urge Morehouse to Rescind Biden’s Commencement Invite first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
By Stacy M. Brown, Senior Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
President Joe Biden’s upcoming commencement address at Morehouse College has ignited controversy among students and alums.
On Tuesday, Morehouse students gathered in a campus auditorium to protest the college’s decision to invite Biden to deliver the commencement address next month.
The dissatisfaction extends beyond the student body. Alums, Morehouse, Spelman, and Clark Atlanta University officials are urging the college to rescind its invitation.
In a letter on Wednesday, concerned alums criticized Biden’s role in a recent foreign aid package, which included funding for Israel’s conflict with Hamas. The letter highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, condemning Biden’s leadership as contributing to the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians. The alumni called on Morehouse to stand against injustice and not allow its platform to be used to “launder consent for genocide.”
Faculty members from the three Atlanta institutions expressed similar concerns, questioning the decision to invite Biden to a historically Black college, especially given Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy as an advocate for social justice.
“Like any group of alumni of any college or university, political and ethical commitments among us are not unanimous,” the alum wrote. “There are many among us, however, who stand on the prophetic vision of our most famous alumnus, who said in 1967 that war is a hell that diminishes us all as human beings and that our moral conscience compels us to speak out against it.”
The concerned alumni invoke one of the college’s most famous graduates. “In inviting President Biden to campus, the college affirms a cruel standard that complicity in genocide merits no sanction from the institution that produced one of the towering advocates for non-violence of the 20th century in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 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.”
The alumni went on to say that the decision to have the president speak for commencement is harmful not just to Palestinians but to all those associated with the prestigious higher learning institution.
“Nobody wins in this. Not our precious brothers on campus, who are most certainly being used as a step stool for President Biden’s political ambitions. Not faculty, who are already up against institutional pressures to remain silent. And certainly not Palestinians, who, lest we forget, are the reason students and many faculty are protesting in the first place,” they explained.
The alumni also suggested that Morehouse not only refuse Biden to serve as commencement speaker but divest from all companies that do business with Israel. “Should the college continue down this course, we urge our fellow brothers across the Morehouse community to make your dissent known. We urge our community to recall the lesson we all heard over the course of our time at the college, which is that the bells toll for our moral leadership. Justice compels us to work to bring this genocide and brutal occupation to an end.”
Biden’s Foreign Policy Under Scrutiny
Biden’s foreign policy decisions, particularly concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict, have sparked protests on university campuses nationwide. The president recently signed a $95 billion war aid measure, allocating approximately $26 billion to Israel and $1 billion in humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza. Despite calls for a ceasefire, Biden emphasized the need for Israel to provide swift humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Biden’s voter base has criticized his foreign policy choices, which could impact the upcoming elections. Additionally, Morehouse received criticism for selecting Biden as its 2024 commencement speaker.
“We understand that the decision to platform Biden was made solely by the Morehouse administration and that students and faculty members were not consulted,” Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine’s Georgia chapter wrote. “College and university administrators have an obligation to include students and faculty members in decisions that will affect them. This decision will do lasting harm to everyone associated with the college.
Further, the Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine-Georgia emphasized that having Biden as the commencement speaker was detrimental not only to Morehouse College’s reputation but also to other Atlanta institutions.
“It will do serious reputational damage to Morehouse and other schools in the Atlanta University Center consortium. It will alienate donors. It will discourage new applications from a generation of youth that overwhelmingly supports a ceasefire. It will prompt significant protests among current students and faculty, subjecting them to discipline and, potentially, dangerous confrontations with the police,” the group explained. “It is not too late to correct the course. There is no reason why Morehouse cannot rescind this invitation. Indeed, the college must do so.”
The post Students, Faculty, and Alum Urge Morehouse to Rescind Biden’s Commencement Invite first appeared on BlackPressUSA.
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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me
NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.
A Familiar Disappointment
I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.
In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.
The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough
On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.
I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?
Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.
One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.
A Call for Action Beyond Words
White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.
If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]
The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for connection, marking a significant step toward creating a more inclusive parenting community.
The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.
“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”
To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.
Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.
“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”
For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org
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Election Night on The Yard at Howard University
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