The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is an incredibly topical, powerful, and thought-provoking work of literature that addresses the particularly pressing issue of police brutality, systemic racism, and dichotomy of silence and action. Amidst a time in which there have been more gun-related crimes than days in the year, I found Angie Thomas’s writing to be incredibly necessary and vital for any and all who want to educate themselves on its darker history. Starr Carter, the protagonist, witnesses the untimely and brutal murder of her childhood friend Khalil at the hands of the police and traverses the difficulties and triumphs of being a voice of change amidst adversity. This informative novel presents the reader with themes of identity, racial stereotypes, …show more content…
Pretty quick into questioning following the shooting incident, Starr’s mother speaks directly to the investigators, “Whoa, wait one second, are y’all putting Khalil and Starr on trial or the cop who killed him? You haven’t asked my child about that cop yet, you keep asking her about Khalil like he’s the reason he’s dead. Like she said, he didn’t pull the trigger on himself” (103). So much of the power of police is based on fear and submission with the regulation of order. It’s high time to recognize the repeated injustices. Here they are grilling Starr who just witnessed the atrocious death of her childhood friend, automatically perceiving these young, vibrant individuals as criminals. There is a huge stereotyping issue today, which I believe is the basis for countless atrocities we have witnessed; I am glad Thomas is speaking out about this. As a Caucasian male, it provides much-needed perspective, something I think more individuals could use in these times. These stereotypes are continuing the cycle of …show more content…
She says, "Being two different people is so exhausting. I've taught myself to speak with two different voices and only say certain things around certain people. I've mastered it. As much as I say I don't have to choose which Starr I am with Chirs, may without realizing it, I have to an extent. Part of me feels like I can't exist around people like him" (Thomas. 301). Starr here expresses that at times, she feels like a fish out of water, and at times she silences her more ethnic sides of her to fit a specific mold. She feels the need to be inherently more "white seeming" with her boyfriend and some of her friends from private school. This also reflects her need to code-switch based on her surroundings