One of the most widespread forms of otherness in the modern world is racism. Due to a fear of consequences, oppressed groups must submit to society. Included in these groups is a character named "Starr Carter", a black teenager facing the gruesomeness of racism. In the novel "The Hate U Give", Angie Thomas uses symbolism and motifs to insinuate how significant othering is as it leads to further alienation, influencing everyone included.
Early chapters of the story show Thomas using symbolism to demonstrate how status or race does not dismiss racism. Thomas illustrates how identity aspects should not be exempt when regarding othering. Starr makes out "the numbers on the badge—one-fifteen." This represents how Starr thinks of them as mere numbers