Years ago I worked at a social services agency that was briefly located in a community center in a primarily Black neighborhood of New York City.

I came to know the Black receptionist fairly well, and sometimes spent time chatting with her at lunch time or after I finished working for the day.

One thing really special about her was that as kids ran in and out of the building on their way to or from activities, she would often stop one and compliment them for how beautiful or handsome they were. She made a big point of it, and you can just see their faces glow.

She told me she said those things because Black children were being taught in so many ways that they were not beautiful.

I thought of her when I read your story, and thought you might like to hear about her.