'Petty and childish': Internet fumes as several Morehouse College students turn their backs on President Biden during commencement speech

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Several graduate students at Morehouse College refused to face President Joe Biden while he gave the commencement address and instead turned their back on him, reported the New York Post.

Biden delivered his speech at the historic Black, all-male college in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday, May 19. This was his first visit to a college campus since anti-Israel student protests erupted across institutions.

"I support peaceful, nonviolent protest," said the incumbent as multiple graduating students quietly turned to face away from him. 

The on-campus pro-Palestinian protests first started at Columbia University, New York, and spread from coast to coast.

In his Morehouse speech, Biden denounced violence shown during protests, stating his support for the freedom to demonstrate peacefully without obstructing the rights of other students.

Morehouse College graduating students protest Joe Biden's stance on Israel's actions in Gaza

Many students reportedly wore a kaffiyeh, a traditional scarf related to the Palestinians, over their shoulders while Biden promised he heard their voices of protest.

"It's a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, that's why I've called for an immediate ceasefire," asserted the president, adding, "I know it angers and frustrates many of you, including in my family."

Besides the outgoing students of Morehouse College, some of its alumni also expressed their dissatisfaction with inviting Biden for the commencement speech.

They circulated an email criticizing the college administration, arguing the president's stance on Israel's actions in Gaza was equal to the support of genocide in the region. The email cited Biden's approach against Martin Luther King Jr, Morehouse's distinguished graduate.

In addition, some college faculties also refused to participate in the commencement address, as per reports.

Morehouse College Valedictorian Deangelo Fletcher wore a Palestinian flag pin and demanded "immediate and a permanent ceasefire" in the Gaza Strip before Biden began his speech. Fletcher received a standing ovation for his move.

Biden, who previously urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for an immediate ceasefire to safeguard innocent civilians, also joined in appreciating Fletcher.

The president's address comes as he loses Black Americans' support for his reelection bid. According to a recent Pew Research Center survey, only 55 percent were in favor of Biden's performance.

In 2020, 95 percent of Black women and 85 percent of Black men voted for Biden. 

Internet reacts to Morehouse College students turning their back on President Joe Biden

Netizens claimed the students who turned their back on President Biden during the commencement address disrespected his office.

One wrote, "Disrespectful. May not agree with the Presidents politics, but respect the office," and another noted, "That’s petty & childish."

"S*** happens at every graduation anymore. Doesn’t matter who is speaking. Someone always has a gripe or just wants to be different. Usually more than just one though. Big goose egg in relevance," fumed a person.

Someone else expressed, "Obviously these students missed the class on 'respect your elders'! They better hope their next president doesn’t turn their backs on them!"

An individual remarked, "Turn your backs … when Trump pulls funding from HBC’s —- and half of you can’t finish your degrees… remember you turned your backs…yay!!!"

"Better idea. They should be expelled, no graduation," suggested one more. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.