The Marching Tornadoes will blow into Washington this week caught up in a funnel cloud of political controversy. The tornados are a marching band. A 289-member marching band from Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama, one of a group of Historically Black Colleges and Universities known collectively as HBCUs. There are well known alumni from places like Howard University, Spelman College, and Fisk University. They put HBCUs on the map. But, Talladega was little known before the band accepted an invitation to perform at President-elect Trump’s inauguration.

The Marching Tornados will be front and center in inauguration ceremonies joining other performers such as singer Jackie Evancho, the high-kicking Radio City Rockettes, and the universally praised Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Not all the Rockettes are dancing; some refused to go because of Trump’s racist and misogynistic comments on the campaign trail. That’s the same reason one soloist from the Mormon Tabernacle quit the choir.

But all 289 of the Marching Tornadoes are going. Talladega’s president Dr. Billy Hawkins and the school’s Board of Trustees approved the trip, framing the band’s participation as a “civic experience,” which offers the students a chance “to see the transition process up close.” The Tornadoes' decision has fueled hot winds of emotion and anger. Critics charge the school with providing racial cover for a Trump who started the birther movement, who has been insulting to African-Americans and other minorities, and who is not strong in condemning hate crimes. “Be ashamed,” one commentator wrote.

Talladega student Dollan Young and alum Shirley Ferrill went head to head in dueling online petitions: Young encouraging the band to go to the inauguration and Ferrill asking the band to withdraw. Ferrill topped Young’s 700 signers, drawing nearly 3,000 signatures. She told ABC News, “Our ancestors are jumping out of their graves, pounding their fists saying, 'don’t do this.'”

Sorry, Talladega, I’m with the ancestors. How does a school founded by slaves offer even tacit support for the ongoing racist commentary about African-Americans? What price dignity and reputation? But, I do live in the real world, so I understand the college’s motivation. Many of Talladega’s 800 students need financial assistance to pay for the $12,000 a year tuition; the school relies on state and federal grants. And during the last few years, Federal grants to HBCUs have been caught in political horse trading that is often benefited by influencers. Talladega plans to ride out the storm of criticism hoping their inaugural performance will position them in the sunshine of the ultimate influencer, President-elect Trump.

The Talladega Marching Tornadoes will make history when they perform for the 45th President. I’d feel a little better about it if they heeded the advice of another commenter. Harry Schroeder posted, “If you’re going to play, play the right songs. “We Shall Overcome,” and “Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud.” Now that would be a must-see performance.

I’m Callie Crossley. WGBH. Boston’s Local NPR.