Former President Joe Biden faced backlash following his use of the term "colored kids" during a speech at a disability advocates conference in Chicago this past Tuesday. The incident occurred as Biden recounted his childhood experiences of racial segregation, inadvertently sparking controversy with his choice of words.
Speaking at the Advocates, Counselors, and Representatives for the Disabled (ACRD) conference, Biden intended to highlight his early exposure to civil rights issues. "I remember seeing kids going by, at the time called 'colored kids,' on a bus go by — they never turned right to go to Claymont High School," Biden said, reflecting on his fourth-grade observations upon moving from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Wilmington, Delaware.
While attempting to shed light on his sense of outrage as a child witnessing racial inequality, Biden's use of the dated term shifted the focus away from his intended message. His speech primarily centered on the importance of Social Security, which he described as "a sacred promise" rather than a mere government program. Biden criticized Republican lawmakers for their stance on retirement benefits, accusing them of seeking to "cut and gut" what millions of Americans rely on.
The speech also featured moments of levity, with Biden joking about claims of Social Security fraud raised by President Trump and Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). "Those 300-year-old folk getting that Social Security, I want to meet them," Biden quipped.
"I remember seeing kids going by, at the time called 'colored kids,' on a bus go by — they never turned right to go to Claymont High School," Former President Joe Biden
However, the event was not without its awkward moments, including Biden speaking over his introductory music and appearing momentarily disoriented at the conclusion of his address. These incidents, coupled with his controversial wording, have overshadowed the substance of his speech.
Former President Trump seized the opportunity to criticize Biden by sharing footage of the speech on Truth Social without any caption, drawing attention to the gaffe.
Biden's verbal slip adds to a history of racially charged missteps that have at times complicated his relationship with black voters throughout his over-five-decade political career. The reaction to Biden's comment on social media was mixed, with some downplaying the significance while others highlighted a potential double standard in media coverage of such incidents.
The event marks Biden's return to the public eye since his presidency ended in January. Despite the contentious moments, Biden's advocacy for the disabled and his defense of Social Security were clear focal points of the address.
