Did Trump Pick Us Because Of Trauma?

[Renee123]

Sorry if this is being posted in the wrong place. I'm not sure where it goes. Definitely some anxiety surrounding it so I guess it goes here.

About a week ago during first period, the principal came onto the speaker. He told us our school's band was selected to perform in the inauguration parade for President-elect Donald Trump. (Just so you know we had to apply before we knew the winner of the election.) Everyone was super stoked. They don't pick that many bands, let alone high school bands.

We were super hyped. This is such an honor. We are good that's why we got picked, right? Well, I thought so until I read a post online as a caption of a USA Politics Today article. It talked about how several of the performers were selected and detailed about my school and the tragedy we had 2 and a half years ago.

"These people are not rich performers. They are real people who have faced violence and know Trump is a source of hope for all of us."

So basically exploiting us to make Trump look good. Nice. Cool.

I actually have no way of knowing if that's true at all. It could be we were actually picked because we are awesome and this is just one perspective digging too much into it. But I have to wonder now that it put the idea in my head.

Sigh.

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

Was the band picked before or after the election? Just curious since you said the band had to apply beforehand. I don't think they'd pick a band that wasn't any good to be in the inauguration parade. That doesn't mean I don't think there could also be a connection because of the trauma the school endured either. Could it be politics at play? Sure, but either way I think it's great the the band was picked and it's something to be proud of and something that could bring the school something positive. I am not in the situation of having gone through that trauma, but I think it's pretty cool to be picked for such a big event regardless of why and I really don't think they would have picked a band that they didn't think could perform adequately.

 

[hodge]

Oh, wow, Renee. I'm sorry, but also glad for your band, even though I personally would be loath to perform at this particular inauguration. Did you see that at least one of the Rockettes has refused to perform there?

 

[Renee123]

Was the band picked before or after the election? Just curious since you said the band ha...

That's true. We applied beforehand but trump's administration picked the bands. He picked some organaizations to be there depending on if they supported the campaign, and college bands that are conservative.

I'm still excited. Still think it's super awesome! Just the thought of it being a political move was like oh..... and that.

:) thanks for the reply!

 

[Muttly]

it's nice to see you around again.

It's certainly possible that was part of why you were picked. Politics is sort of an ugly business. However, your band would not have been picked if it wasn't good. It can be really easy to focus on how things connect to the trauma and this is certainly understandable to do, but perhaps you can focus on the honor as much as possible?

 

[Gs172003]

You'll be on TV!!

 

[Renee123]

it's nice to see you around again.

It's certainly possible that was part of why you were picked. Polit...

Thank you for your reply. I'll try to think of it like that.

Thank you. Glad to be back! :)

 

[Rumors]

@Renee123
Gosh, the way you frame that is unhealthy. You asked if Trump picked you to exploit the school and what happened to make him look cool. What if he actually picked the school to show the resilience of the American people and the ability we have to stick together and heal through hard times? Novel idea I know but how you begin to view things now will carry throughout your life. Stop seeing the agenda in everything and be thankful for the opportunity to showcase your school. Just my opinion.

 

[Gs172003]

Sorry if this is being posted in the wrong place. I'm not sure where it goes. Definitely some anxiety...

I was in band too. It was amazing. Those were the best years of my young life. Cherish the fact that you get to do something to showcase your talent and so does the band that most in the country never will :)

 

[The Albatross]

I hope you won't let media spin you right out of having a wonderful experience (I used to do parades when I was Honor Guard in the military - no talent for music and marching at the same time or music in general for that matter, just the marching and looking sharp). I think it was really good in your opening post that you said, "I actually have no way of knowing if that's true at all. It could be we were actually picked because we are awesome and this is just one perspective".

:tup: Bravo and correct, it is good to recognize there can be other perspectives and to recognize that yeah, you have no way of knowing if or not it is true. ;):tup::tup::tup:

 

[BuckarooBanzai]

Interesting question.

How about this? You were short-listed for quality and expertise. When Trump went through the short-list, he noted the past trauma and said, "These young people experienced the worst of the worst, yet look how they rebounded and succeeded! They are truly deserving of this honor."

 

[Deleted member 12723]

This is really a high honor. If I was you I would just accept it as a honor. I agree with the others that your band has to be really good in order to be picked. I think it will be an awesome experience for you. Very exciting. Not everyband is picked to do an inaugeration parade.