President Joe Biden told the graduating class at Morehouse College that he hears their voices of protest over the Israel-Hamas war, and that scenes from the conflict in Gaza have been heartbreaking.
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00:00 What is democracy?
00:02 If black men are being killed in the street,
00:04 what is democracy?
00:06 Betrayal of broken promises still leave black communities behind.
00:10 What is democracy? You have to be ten times better than anyone else to get a fair shot.
00:16 Most of all,
00:19 what does it mean, as we've heard before,
00:22 to be a black man who loves his country,
00:27 even if it doesn't love him back in equal measure? I want to say this very clearly.
00:31 I support peaceful nonviolent protest.
00:35 Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them. It's a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
00:41 That's why I've called for an immediate ceasefire.
00:44 An immediate ceasefire to stop the fighting,
00:48 bring the hostages home.
00:53 And I've been working on a deal as we speak, working around the clock to lead an international effort to get more aid into Gaza,
00:59 rebuild Gaza. I'm also working around the clock for more than just one ceasefire. I'm working to bring the region together.
01:06 We're going to build a lasting, durable peace because the question is, and you see what's going on in Israel today,
01:12 what after?
01:15 What after Hamas?
01:17 What happens then? What happens in Gaza?
01:21 What rights do the Palestinian people have?
01:23 I'm working to make sure we finally get a two-state solution, the only solution, for two people to live in peace,
01:31 security, and dignity.
01:35 This is one of the hardest, most complicated problems in the world, and there's nothing easy about it.
01:40 I know it angers and frustrates many of you, including my family, but most of all, I know it breaks your heart.
01:49 It breaks mine as well.
01:51 Insurrectionists who storm the Capitol with
01:53 Confederate flags are called patriots by some, not in my house.
01:59 Black police officers,
02:04 black veterans protecting the Capitol were called another word, as you recall.
02:11 They also say out loud, these other groups,
02:17 immigrants, poison the blood of our country.
02:19 Like the Grand Wizard and fascists said in the past,
02:23 "But you know and I know,
02:26 we all bleed the same color.
02:28 In America, we're all created equal."
02:31 Extremists close the doors of opportunity, strike down affirmative action,
02:38 attack the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion.
02:42 I confer upon you,
02:44 Joseph R. Biden Jr.,
02:46 the Honorary Doctor of Laws, honoris causa,
02:50 with all the rights, privileges, and
02:53 responsibilities
02:55 appertaining thereunto.
02:57 Congratulations,
02:59 Dr. Joseph Biden.
03:01 [applause]