A historically black college in Alabama has accepted an invitation to march in President-elect Donald Trump's inaugural parade, a decision that has outraged some of its alumni.
Talladega College will participate in the festivities later this month, while other black colleges like Washington, D.C.'s Howard University have opted not to. The school's social media networks have now become a platform for people on both sides of the decision to vent.
"We were a bit horrified to hear of the invitation," Shirley Ferrill, who graduated from Talladega in 1974, told the Associated Press.
"I don't want my alma mater to give the appearance of supporting him. Ignore, decline or whatever, but please don't send our band out in our name to do that."
Added student Seinya SamForay, "After how black people were treated at Trump's rallies, you're going to go and shuck and jive down Pennsylvania Avenue? For what? What they did is a slap in the face to other black universities."
Last Friday, Trump's inauguration committee announced a list of 40 groups that would play a role in the Jan. 20 event that culminates in Trump being sworn-in as president.
In another instance, Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., will send its own marching band to Trump's inauguration — minus some of its members. School spokesman Greg Cannon told the AP as many as eight band members have refused to go because "they don't want to have anything to do with the inauguration of President Trump and we respect that, and that's their right."
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