The place that HBCUs have among predominantly white institutions (PWIs) has been debated for years. As these institutions struggle to justify their relevance in 21st Century, they become even more important as Donald Trump prepares to take office. That is why I am extremely disappointed and a bit disgusted at Talladega College’s decision to perform in Donald Trump’s inauguration. The people of this college and those that support them probably see this performance as a chance to elevate their college, but instead they will be tarnishing the name of their HBCU and the people that stood with it while fighting for social justice and the rights of all minorities in the country.
Black colleges have always been places where people could go to get an education if no one else would allow them to get one. Men, women, Blacks, Hispanics, and other marginalized groups have historically flocked to these schools in order to be welcomed into a safe environment. HBCUs not only give people the chance to see people who look and think like them, but they are places where diversity and tolerance will always be put first. The graduates of these schools also go on to fight for the rights of others. Talladega University specifically has some notable graduates like Orzell Billingsley, who was one of the first black people to be admitted to the bar in the state of Alabama, and Arthur Shores, who also became a notable attorney. Both of the graduates went on to fight for social justice and work with leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. Knowing that their Alma matter was willingly supporting a man who promotes bigotry and hate would probably be unsettling for them and other alumni.
No one is saying that this opportunity is not good for the college. Under almost any other circumstance, performing at a presidential inauguration would be a huge honor for the college and its band. The publicity alone could do wonders for a small school. But what administration and the supporters of their choice are missing is that contrary to popular belief, all publicity is not good publicity. At what point will these schools draw the line? If Talladega will not reject the offer to perform for a man and a campaign that was endorsed by the KKK, when will they draw the line? If the college will say yes to honoring a presidency that promised to work towards separating families, removing health care from those who need it most, and treating immigrants and foreigners without respect, then who will they say no to? If the band can play music for a president that publicly mocked women and those with special needs, who won’t they play for?
HBCUs stand up for marginalized groups when no one else will. What these schools represent and the people they are obligated to uplift and support are extremely important. By saying yes to Trump’s inauguration, the college is now saying yes to all the hate, shame, and intolerance that he, his campaign, and his supporters stand for. They are saying no to the years of progress, fighting, and struggle that the college and all its graduates have been working towards. No matter how wonderful and beneficial this performance could be professionally for both the students and the staff, sometimes morals and ethics need to stand above everything else.
