Thank you for your post and opportunity for thoughtful conversation … this is our time to set the agenda and to in many respects elevate the platform that we set the tone. Whether I think they should go or not, the sincerity of the invitation is in so many respects not the issue. History once again… 20, 30, 50, even 100 years down the road will give us a new and different perspective. It’s nice to know in the great look back which side of the story you were on … did you show up? What did you say, what did you do? Who will remain to tell the tale? I have never set foot in Mississippi , however I have attended a historically black university as well as a predominately white institution. The irony here is that we have been at this juncture before. We shall be here again and for some of us not all it is not as simple as it may seem. If my grandchild called and asked me I am in the band and we were invited to the inauguration . I want to go. Can you send me some money and contribute to the go fund me site. Do you have any ideas on what we should do. I have never been to DC . This is causing a lot of controversy. But I think I want to go. Ps send me some long John’s. The not itchy kind. I will make you so proud of me. … I am all the way in and my grand-baby gets the healthy dose of HBCU singing literally for their supper and the fact that Talladega, Fisk, and Mississippi are still standing are a testament to who and what institutions are no longer here anymore. 150 years down the road. Doesn’t quite matter what I want but I have a perspective they can’t see and I get to hold the elder card and tell the tale to inspire and focus on the prize. Ask the students and musicians what they want . ….???? Do what you can with your ability to inspire and creativity. What is the role of education and philanthropy ? I have raised a lot of funds for funerals of college aged students and victims of violence. I contribute to them all and hopefully with kindness and compassion. My grands know they have to swallow the ask and the grandma ATM requests with a dose of history … and the experience of I can’t say yes to everything. Again. We have been here before and it can be both a sign of victory, opportunity and betrayal. I am hoping they will read the whole book and not rely on the Tik Tok sound bite and will continue to practice daily as they do not know where and for whom they shall play … Check out my recent book review on the Betrayal and the Presidents.