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Joe Biden, the former U.S. president, has become somewhat known for his frequent gaffes, much to the delight of some and the chagrin of others. Now at 83, his appearances often stir discussions about his age and mental sharpness. It’s evident that each public engagement is meticulously planned to avoid any missteps, yet sometimes, things don’t go as smoothly as intended.
During a recent appearance at Syracuse University School of Law, Biden found himself at the center of controversy following remarks that some viewed as a significant blunder, with accusations of racism quickly surfacing. However, it’s crucial to examine the situation from a balanced perspective, something both sides of the political spectrum should strive for.
Before jumping to conclusions about what appeared to be an awkward moment, it’s essential to consider the context leading up to his comments. The situation involved a comparison between Biden and another individual, Mr. Scruggs, who bears a slight resemblance to the 44th president. While this observation has been criticized, it’s worth noting that pointing out a resemblance between two individuals is not inherently problematic, especially when such a resemblance exists.
Former President Joe Biden spotted a familiar face on stage during his portrait unveiling at Syracuse University School of Law Tuesday and demanded the man join him at the podium in an awkward exchange.
“I always want to turn around to one guy and say … ‘Barack, what are you doing?’” Biden joked during the event at his alma mater.
The 83-year-old former president was referring to Jeffrey Scruggs, who is black and the chairman of the school’s Board of Trustees, and apparently reminds Biden of the 44th president, Barack Obama.
Biden awkwardly put the spotlight on Scruggs and called for him to come up to the podium, despite the chairman’s apparent reluctance.
Here’s what people watching what would look to be a cringe-inducing moment don’t know: What happened before Mr. Biden spoke:
Scruggs reportedly told Biden backstage that his daughter wanted him to ask the former president if he looked like Obama. The onstage moment was meant to show the daughter that Biden believed that her dad did look like his ex-boss, the Daily Mail reported.
Several social media users agreed with Biden’s assessment, while some argued the moment was “racist.”
And, honestly, there is a certain resemblance between Mr. Scruggs and the 44th president. It’s not an uncanny one, but the two men do look broadly similar. And despite the hysterical screeching of the perpetually offended, there’s nothing racist about pointing out that one black man has a mild resemblance to another black man, when there objectively is such a resemblance.