Photo via Twitter

Two white teen girls walked onto the campus of Howard University, a historically black college, donning “Make America Great Again” hats on Saturday.

Howard students’ very predictable reactions led one of the high schoolers to write a Twitter rant saying that she was “harassed continuously” and frustrated that Donald Trump supporters “have to fear” going to places due to their loyalty to the president.

The 16 year old was met with a Twitter storm of disapproving responses, including from Howard University defending its students saying, in part, that “though this is an institution where freedom of thought, choice, and expression are ever-present, we will never compromise our values or allow others to convince us to do so.”

Vandee, a high school student from Pennsylvania, tweeted about the incident on Saturday when she was on a tour of D.C. with classmates. Out of all of the dining options in D.C., the group went to Howard University’s cafeteria for lunch.

She wore a Trump shirt that she’d recently bought. And she and her friend Sara wore MAGA hats, which are reportedly a must-have item for white (mostly male) middle school tourists at souvenir shops in Washington.

Vandee said that when she and Sara walked into the cafeteria, “a man said ‘F*ck y’all’ to me.” And while waiting in line, Vandee said someone came by and stole her friend’s hat.

She said that she was totally unaware that the school was predominately black, “which either way shouldn’t matter.” In her account, Howard students “continuously harassed” her, took photos, and said as a white person, she “should have know better.”

At that point, she said, her supervisors thought it would be “a good idea to keep the peace and find somewhere else to eat.”

Referencing the recent incidents in Charlottesville and stating “the need for and importance of human interaction,” Howard University responded on Twitter:

Today, there were visitors on our campus who were wearing paraphernalia that showcased their political support. This occurrence and the responses on social media that followed emphasize the need for and importance of human interaction. The recent events in Charlottesville are the latest examples of the deep divisions that exist in our country.

Though this is an institution where freedom of thought, choice, and expression are ever-present, we will never compromise our values or allow others to convince us to do so. We will remain committed to truth and service and boldly affirm who we are and what we stand for. Our campus is a space for educational engagement to occur between both those who do and do not share our values. Thankfully, when visitors set foot on our campus they are met with some of the brightest and best students in our nation. Howard students are not simply academically advanced, political activists, leaders, and mentors. Howard students represent all that is right about America.

Vandee also said in the her rant that someone on her school bus told her to remove her hat because she was being racist. “This is America. These are the people who are being racist and disrespectful,” she responded. “It’s unfortunate that Trump supporters have to fear going places that others. I will never be embarrassed for supporting Donald Trump. I will also support our president when, and wherever, I please. #MAGA”

This article has been updated to reflect that the teens are from Pennsylvania, not New Jersey.

Filed Under: Allie Vandee, howard university, maga, maga hat,