The time for change is now

In the wake of the Michael Brown tragedy I grab up my son and hold him tight. I do not want to let him go.

I dread the day we have to have ‘The Conversation' - a discussion every African-American mother or father has, in some way, with their little boy or young man. I will tell him:

I have brought you into a world that is unequal. A world where you do not have a voice. A world where you are more likely to end up in jail than go to college. A world where you cannot be you.

You will need to be on guard every day. You will be judged before you open your mouth. People will call you vile names and you cannot respond for fear that you will be seen as the antagonist.

People will assume you are uneducated. Even if you grow up to be a doctor, a lawyer, an accountant, or even President of the United States, some people will be surprised that you can formulate thoughts into words. To them, you will just be another black man - someone to fear.

People will not understand the struggle to be black and live in America. One side will tell you that you only got where you are because you help fill some quota for diversity. The other side will say you aren't black enough; that you are a sellout. An Uncle Tom.

You will be stopped and questioned by law enforcement no matter where you go. Over and over again. They will yell at you. They will make fun of you. They will push you. But please, God, do nothing, say nothing, show nothing. Sit up straight and keep your hands on the wheel. Look down and do not ask questions. Only speak when you are spoken to. Follow every command regardless of if you think it is wrong. In this way, you are fighting for your life. Do you understand?

You will be angry. Do not lash out. You will want to cry. Don't let them know it hurts you. You will want to give up, but I tell you that victory is near. Show grace when shown disgust. Show mercy when shown abuse. Show compassion when shown hate. Fight with words, not with violence.

Show them that differences shouldn't be feared, but embraced.

This is the discussion I will have to have with my son. I will have to prepare him for a world where the deck is stacked against him. A world where one black man is killed every 28 hours by a police officer, security guard or self-appointed vigilante.

This is not meant to point the finger solely at law enforcement. This is meant as a cry out to everyone that 'injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” We cannot wait for change, change needs to happen now.

l Kingsley Botchway II is a member of the Iowa City Council. Contact: Kingsley-Botchway@iowa-city.org.