HBCU band unfairly scorned for accepting Trump inauguration invite

By Leonard Greene

(Source: Daytona Times)

We can’t have it both ways. We can’t. When the Democratic nominee for president hails from a historically Black college or university, we want to puff out our chests and swell with pride.

“Kamala Harris is a Bison,” we bragged. “She’s reppin’ Howard U.”

Some of us had never even stepped on a Black campus, but we were as proud as parents of a newborn baby.

But when the marching band at Mississippi Valley State, an HBCU, accepts an invitation to perform at the presidential inauguration, we want to treat them like a bunch of Uncle Toms who snitched on a runaway slave.

The harsh backlash

Why? Because the man being sworn in as president will be Donald Trump.

“This is not just a moment of pride for our university but for the entire state of Mississippi,”  said university president Jerryl Briggs.

“It is an opportunity to showcase our legacy, celebrate our culture, and invest in the future leaders of our community. This participation allows students to engage in the peaceful transition of power and gain global exposure while celebrating the university’s 75th anniversary.”

It’s as simple as that.

Yet, when the band went on social media to raise money for the trip, some detractors — let’s just call them haters —  acted like Mississippi Valley State was betraying the Black race.

“That is not an excuse to step and fetch for the most heinous person in modern AmeriKKKan history,” one user on X wrote in response to the fundraising request.

“No Valley.. Hell Nawl..This ain’t it..,” another critic cried on social media. “Not raising money to go before the Klan Rally. Raise money for the betterment of Valley but not to entertain the MAGA faithful.”

C’mon. Really? Did the tuba player raise money for Donald Trump? Did the guy on trombone promote Project 2025?

It doesn’t help that this year’s Jan. 20th inauguration falls on what is also the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday.