The Geechie Band?

"Back during slavery, when Black people like me talked to the slaves, they didn't kill 'em, they sent some old house Negro along behind him to undo what he said. You have to read the history of slavery to understand this. There were two kinds of Negroes. There was that old house Negro and the field Negro

And the house Negro always looked out for his master. When the field Negroes got too much out of line, he held them back in check. He put 'em back on the plantation. The house Negro could afford to do that because he lived better than the field Negro. He ate better, he dressed better, and he lived in a better house. He lived right up next to his master - in the attic or the basement. He ate the same food his master ate and wore his same clothes. And he could talk just like his master - good diction. And he loved his master more than his master loved himself. That's why he didn't want his master hurt. If the master got sick, he'd say, "What's the matter, boss, we sick?""

It's safe to say that--- to stay with the Malcolm X metaphor--- the trump inauguration is sick. They are struggling to find talent  to perform, and, as a result, they are looking everywhere to find someone (anyone) to perform for Herr trump.  

Enter the Talladega College president and his administration, who by ordering the school's marching band to play for master trump's inauguration, will be ensuring that the band plays the role of good House Negroes on inauguration day.

"The decision follows several days of controversy after the Talladega Marching Tornadoes initially accepted an invitation to perform on January 20, with critics saying the move amounts to support for President-elect Donald Trump. Trump made comments during the presidential campaign that were widely viewed as disparaging to people of color and immigrants.

Talladega College President Billy C. Hawkins announced the final decision in a statement, noting that the "lessons students can learn from this experience cannot be taught in a classroom."

"We respect and appreciate how our students and alumni feel about our participation in this parade," said Hawkins. "As many of those who chose to participate in the parade have said, we feel the inauguration of a new president is not a political event but a civil ceremony celebrating the transfer of power."

Supporters of the trip argued that the experience would benefit the band -- and be a source of pride for the relatively unknown school."

I am not sure how selling out to perform for the inauguration of a man who has disparaged African Americans, women, and immigrants, would be a "source of pride" to the young people who will be performing. Sadly, given the relationship between colleges and their bands, the students (who are more than likely all on scholarships) will have no say in whether they can go and play or not. 

This is why I am ripping the college president and the powers that be, and not the students. They are educators; they should know better, and they certainly should know their history. 

As Adolph Caesar's character, Sgt Waters, said in that classic scene from  A Soldier's Story, "The day of the geechie is gone."      

*Pic from youtube.com