In the present, a Black man fathers a son. He grooms him from afar and tracks his growth because he wants to prove that his child was so decent and good that America could find no excuse to act against him. He influences decisions such as whether or not his son will play basketball or swim, for example. He is unable to follow his son as closely after he leaves for college, but when his son transfers to the college the man is teaching at, he is pleasantly surprised. However, he later hears of how his son had been unfairly targeted by campus police because of his race. The man is absolutely furious, but he takes a bit of hope in the protests that follow, some of which are led by his son.