In stark contrast to the brutal and neglectful treatment of the Secret Service officers and police, Mother’s and Father’s concern and care recognize Sarah’s dignity. Notably, Father demonstrates less frustration with Sarah than Coalhouse, likely because Sarah makes no overt demands on Father’s respect. This allows him to play the role of her benevolent (and, by implication, superior) white savior. But Father’s grudging tolerance isn’t enough to save her—or to address the root causes of her death, among which is the systemic racism that denies her and Coalhouse—and by extension Black Americans generally—justice and equality.