President Biden addressed Black leaders on the historic 70th anniversary of the 1954 Supreme Court ruling that declared school segregation unconstitutional, Fox News reported.

Biden's speech at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., highlighted Brown v. Board of Education, a significant civil rights milestone that deemed racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Additionally,

Biden stressed, "The work of building a democracy ... begins by opening doors of opportunity for all, without exception," underlining the significance of desegregation and the continuous pursuit of equal opportunities.

Backlash Over Past Segregation Remarks

However, Biden's remarks sparked online backlash, with critics emphasizing his past stance against school desegregation. Detractors resurfaced his previous comments and actions, questioning his commitment to advocated ideals.

Furthermore, criticism arose from Biden's historical opposition to desegregation efforts. In a 1975 Senate hearing, civil rights advocate Jack Greenberg criticized Biden for endorsing a bill that limited courts' authority to mandate busing for school integration, labeling it a "brick through the window of school integration."

Vice President Harris's 2020 Campaign Attack

During the 2020 Democratic presidential campaign, Kamala Harris challenged Biden's past desegregation stances, highlighting his opposition to busing and recalling her own experience being bused to school.

Subsequently, in a debate, Harris addressed Biden directly, stating, "You also worked with them to oppose busing. There was a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate public schools and was bused to school every day. That little girl was me."

Controversial Comments and Associations

Scrutiny of Biden's past extended to a 1975 interview where he expressed skepticism about affirmative action and remedial measures for Black communities, stating, "I do not buy the concept... We must now give the Black man a head start, or even hold the White man back, to even the race. I don't buy that."

Moreover, Biden's eulogies for former KKK member Robert Byrd and segregationist Strom Thurmond stirred controversy. In his eulogy for Thurmond, Biden referred to him as "a brave man, who, in the end, made his choice and moved to the good side."

Online Criticism and Biden's Response

Opponents criticized Biden, with one user on social platform X recalling, "Remember when Joe Biden said segregation would turn schools into racial jungles," and another stating, "Too bad Joe Biden kept fighting FOR segregation decades after this wonderful decision."

Biden defended himself, asserting that his intentions were not racist. In 2019, he responded to widespread censure by saying, "Apologies for what? It's not a racist bone in my body. I've been involved in civil rights my whole career. Period. Period. Period."

Conclusion