Biden holds a valuable moment in his graduation speech for Morehouse College.
A private discussion revealed that students were equally concerned with the conflict in Gaza and the fight against antisemitism. Prioritizing both their deep-rooted heritage and desire to communicate honestly, they want to uphold their school's customs.
However, they are equally clueless about President Biden's early life and government service. The central theme of his political reputation might create doubt: how can they trust someone they've yet to understand?
As an opening gambit, Biden must introduce himself, discuss his beliefs, and explain his reasons before reflecting on his prior four-year tenure or future plans. While his professional background might seem apparent, these young adults have only engaged with politics for a fraction of their lives.
Hoping to gain further insight, I coordinated a second on-record assembly of students over Zoom. Compiling a diverse mix based on age and cultural origin, seven participants fit the bill.
Unlike their ancestors, these individuals absorb news from Apple News, Instagram, and TikTok. They regularly read the Guardian, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today, but only three liked to watch the news on television, and none read physical papers.
Only one participant had been informed of President Biden's first wife perishing in a car crash with their infant child. Their awareness of his son Beau Biden's death from brain cancer in 2015 was slightly higher, although minimal.
Eager to establish Biden's socioeconomic history, four students inferred he hailed from a wealthy household. They didn't comprehend his ties to Scranton, Pennsylvania, nor the fact that he belonged to the poorest Congress members until becoming Vice President.
Half of the sample were aware of Biden's stance on same-sex marriage, while only one recognized his support prior to Barack Obama.
Unfamiliarity with the more affirmative aspects of Biden's history included his contributions before his presidency. Instead, the negative news from his 2020 campaign prevailed, gaining traction.
Aware of his efforts on the 1994 crime bill and its effects on mass incarceration, none grasped the inclusion of the Violence Against Women Act and the federal assault weapons ban.
Similarly, their knowledge of Vice President Kamala Harris extended to her identity as a San Francisco native, while only one student mentioned her tenure as district attorney and highlighted her prosecutorial record as "top cop."
Terrance Woodbury, a high-profile Democratic pollster, and CEO of HIT Strategies, claimed this trend extended beyond this university.
"In the absence of their biographies, many young people are receiving only the negative information shared about the president and vice president. This context informs their understanding of their terms in office," Woodbury noted. "We must provide a positive perspective on who Biden and Harris are and the causes they advocate."
Balancing these narratives is challenging in a world where information often arrives packaged in brief videos or memes. Biden's Morehouse address represents a crucial platform to supply these missing details. Although some students may support Israel in its clash with Hamas, they're not extreme partisans and will tune in for Biden's insights. By sharing his past, he can build trust.
The president should show his character, presenting himself as a person rather than a political figure. Detailing his life experiences could point the way toward a bond and potentially offer something they can believe in. He may not win everyone's favor, but he'll strike a chord with younger citizens.
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Although some students may have formed opinions about President Biden based on news headlines, they express a desire to learn more about his beliefs and experiences. This gap in knowledge could potentially hinder their ability to trust him fully.
Following Biden's speech, there might be a shift in the students' opinions, as they gain a more personal understanding of the president, beyond his political reputation.
Source: edition.cnn.com
