Race-Based Stereotypes In 'The Hate U Give'

Racism is the isolation of people solely based on their race rather than their personality, skill, or even the first impression. The isolation caused by racism is based on a vague and outdated stigma. Those faced with racism aren’t even given a chance to prove that these race-based stereotypes are wrong. This puts adolescents of color at an instant disadvantage. Not only are these harsh stereotypes impacting the youth now, but they have the potential to affect the future in which the current youth creates. Adolescents have the power to make the change they want to see, which has been highly undervalued. In The Hate U Give, the way the young generation encounters racism and is forced to confront it is explored through the several components

In society, there are many ways that people recognize and express their concern for the youth’s experiences. Tupac, a famous diseased rapper, discussed this acronym, “‘THUG LIFE,’ he explained, actually stands for ‘The Hate U Give Little Infants Effs Everybody’” (Buchanan). Tupac found a way to create a popular saying into an acronym with a deeper meaning. This saying is the core of The Hate U Give. “THUG LIFE” gave this story significance in the fact that this story is about more than just racism. The acronym allowed the story to focus on how the youth is underestimated in the power they have over the future and that the hate that they have been given will eventually come back to those who hated. With this acronym, people are forced to look further into ways that children are being put at a disadvantage. For example, in The Hate U Give, the young characters are put in situations no child should face. “Sekani, Starr’s younger brother, has been traumatized from all the events preceding the fire and, scared for his family, grabs Maverick’s gun from his waistband” (Pierre). The Hate U Give emphasizes the meaning of “THUG LIFE” with a scene like this. Sekani is a young child who gained possession of a weapon all as a reaction to the hate he and his family were given. No child should ever feel the need to withhold a gun, but the racism Sekani had experienced makes it seem that a child having a weapon should be expected. It takes bold acts like being armed with a firearm for society to realize that racism affects more than just the grown adults or the ones receiving the injustices. Experiences like taking a gun for protection may lead to the youth growing up thinking that it is a normality and a necessity. This story highlights that this is a possibility unless a change is made in how young people are treated.