I am not a parent, but I was so moved by this letter from father to son. The US that I grew up in is so different from the one Coates describes, and I wish it wasn't. The fact that this message is so necessary is heartbreaking, and the telling of it is so powerful. At different points, I was enraged, uncomfortable, and holding back tears. I've read some amazing books this year, but this struck me to the core, because it's real life for so many people. I will never fully understand what it feels like to be black in the US, but I will keep listening to voices like Coates who are willing to share their perspective with all of us. I hope you will too.