General

By Anthony Advnicula

During the peak season of presidential politics 40 years ago, a striking young newswoman appeared in the World Room of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Her visit was much anticipated, and she was rightly introduced as a star, fresh from campaign coverage.

My husband and I fuss and fret over our black boy.

Like other parents, we worry about a lot. We want him to use his smarts for good. Do we coddle him too much? We want him to be tough and kind, but assertive and gentle, and not mean. His boundaries of independent exploration are radiating outward, concentric circles growing farther and farther from us.

We wring our hands and pretend to look away in acknowledgment that he’s ready to claim his freedom, even as we cast furtive glances his way. We’re beginners in the worry department. He’s only 9 years old.