Analysis Of The Hate U Give By Angie Thomas

Over 55% of Americans view racism as a big problem in the United States, but yet the topic is so controversial that teachers purposely refrain from any type of material that may bring up current events relating to said topic. Because of this, many schools are considering to ban the book, The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas which tells the story of sixteen-year old Starr Carter who experiences her friend Khalil’s death by a cop who pulled the two over as they were driving home. The story then goes on to show Starr’s community responds to the situation that no action was took against the cop who killed unarmed Khalil. Riots against authority pop up all around town and some cops even threaten Starr to keep her mouth shut against what really went

With this book, however, and its tale of Starr and her community, Garden Heights, readers gain insight to others who do not have as many freedoms or privileges as those of the white America. One example of limited freedoms African Americans mainly experience is the cop talk that happen throughout the story. It first appears between Starr and her father, “... do whatever [cops] tell you… keep your hands visible. Don’t make any sudden moves. Only speak when they speak to you,” (Thomas, 20). The story also presents that many others, Big Mav and Mr. Lewis for example, have had this talk. This talk shows that people of other ethnicities besides white, have to deal with a constant fear of discrimination among people who have more pull in a government setting. People not only of small towns but people who were fortunate enough to not worry of such experiences do not know about the injustice that others go through, and when they are taught this book in schools they can then discuss ways to change the injustice that runs through

For example the city of Katy, Texas whose school district banned The Hate U Give due to the claim that the reference to sex and the scandalous nature of language used in the story are not appropriate to today’s youth. However, these schools also teach books, such as 1984 which goes more into depth into sexual content and even has a higher recommended age than The Hate U Give. 1984 is a book similar to The Hate U Give in the context that the books both acknowledge today’s society. The books both reference what could be going on behind closed doors and what the people who are experiencing the unpleasant world they live in are doing to change it. In 1984 a man hates his world and how it does not give people the privacy and respect they deserve while The Hate U Give does not give people of a certain race the respect and privileges they made. Even though both these books are taught in schools and have similar use of language as well as the reference to sexual encounters, one book is more controversial since its events are happening everyday and the book urges people to stand up and demand justice. As Starr explains, “That’s the problem. We let people say stuff, and they say it so much that it becomes okay to them and normal for us. What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?”