We have “The Talk” a few times with Sawyer as new incidents of violence against Black men and boys come to light. Sawyer’s living grandparents, all white, express concern, and I am grateful.
But like any teenager, Sawyer feels immortal. I have a feeling that only his sense of immortality scaffolds him and prevents the weight of these Black deaths from crushing him.
It would be rational to keep him inside. To keep him from the clutch of the strangers who would endanger him. I choose not to keep him inside. I gave him life and I intend to let him live it.