Neil, bless your heart — and thank you. I haven’t been to Philly in a long time — in fact, I wrote about the last time for EmbraceRace — but when I/we get there again, I’ll absolutely take you up on that truly wonderful offer.

Here’s the thing: for sure, I wonder and worry about what our girls will face. But, this instance notwithstanding, I also know that my wife and I have the means to protect them and advocate for them and find workarounds for them to a degree that so many other parents and guardians, especially parents and guardians to kids of color, don’t. (For example, here I am, enjoying the luxury of all it takes to share our story and eliciting a remarkable response like yours.)

I didn’t get into that in the piece simply as a matter of focus, but think of all the kids who’ll be subject to such aggressions — and far worse — without nearly adequate means to fight back, without the means to get the attention of people like us who just might be able to offer a bit of support.

That’s the real heartbreak.