After a racist incident at my son’s predominantly white school, I was forced to think long and hard about the trade-offs many black parents and other parents of color have to make when it comes to their educational options. My dear friend calls it the “head versus heart” dilemma. That’s the frightening realization that while a certain school may be a better option academically, if it lacks racial diversity there is almost always a price black children will pay in terms of their sense of self and identity. As a parent, your head tells you putting them in a high-ranking public school or private school is a smart decision. But your heart — your heart aches at the thought of what your child may have to endure in these environments.