He would talk about reality instead of the fiction that had been sold to him. He would say to his son: “Treat people as people. Be color-blind. Love openly. Love everyone.” And then, in the same breath, he would have to say to his son: “You will be treated differently because of your skin. The rules are different for you. This is how you act when you meet the police. This is how you act growing up in the South. This is the reality of your world.” William would one day have to say all of these things to his son and many, many more. And with each word, his son’s heart would break. With each
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