As a result, Black parents,especially those who were born into slavery or who were raised by parents who were traumatized by it,may have consciously or unconsciously discouraged their children from excelling too much, as a defense mechanism. They were attempting to protect their children from becoming targets for systemic violence or separation. This was a way to keep their families safe, because exceptionalism in the wrong circumstances could be seen as a threat to the system. 2/4