Mississippi Valley State College, an HBCU, is at present catching hell on social media for accepting an invitation for its marching band, the Imply Inexperienced Marching Machine, to carry out at Donald Trump’s inauguration and launching a GoFundMe marketing campaign to pay for the journey.
Trump’s inauguration will happen on Jan. 20, 2025, the identical date that the nation will observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It seems lots of people, particularly Black folks, don’t assume it’s acceptable for the marching band of a traditionally Black school to carry out for the president who, in 2020, completely targetted predominately Black and Latino voting precincts in his baseless and factless election fraud propaganda marketing campaign — particularly on the vacation honoring the civil rights icon who famously fought for Black folks’s proper to vote.
Sadly, the directors at MVSU didn’t get the memo.
Mississippi Valley State College (MVSU) is catching side-eyes after accepting an invite to march in Trump’s upcoming inaugural parade on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 20, 2025. https://t.co/q7U3oN67lt pic.twitter.com/7wpKOkV1DV
— Bossip (@Bossip) December 30, 2024
From Revolt:
“This historic invitation highlights the band’s legacy of excellence and cultural significance, showcasing the college and Mississippi’s wealthy heritage globally. This invitation continues MVSU’s custom of groundbreaking nationwide performances. In 1965, the band grew to become the primary Traditionally Black School or College (HBCU) ensemble to march within the Match of Roses Parade. They returned to Pasadena in 1968 and carried out in President Richard Nixon’s inaugural parade on Jan. 20, 1969. These milestones replicate the band’s enduring legacy as cultural ambassadors for Mississippi and the HBCU group.”
Dr. Jerryl Briggs, MVSU president, famous that, “This isn’t only a second of satisfaction for our college however for the whole state of Mississippi. It is a chance to showcase our legacy, have fun our tradition, and make investments sooner or later leaders of our group.”
Yeah — it’s controversial that every one the invitation really “highlights” is the president-elect’s willingness to proceed pandering to Black folks after promising to battle racism towards white folks whereas denying the very existence of systemic racism towards Black folks. Trump spearheaded the propaganda-reliant assault on crucial race idea, issued an govt order banning variety coaching within the office, and promised to finish all DEI packages throughout America. He advocated for the army to shoot Black Lives Matter protesters, and he referred to as for the execution of the Central Park 5, whose exoneration and innocence he nonetheless refuses to acknowledge.
Maybe the directors at MVSU would do properly to know that Black excellence shouldn’t embrace taking a seat at everybody’s desk, and marching for a white nationalist may simply be interpreted as sambo-esque tap-dancing with slightly further razzle-dazzle.
For sure, the high quality people on X are displeased. Take a look at a number of the reactions beneath.
