The Hate U Give Literary Analysis

Analyzing the Theme of Racial Discrimination in The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas The Hate U Give is an inspiring book Angie Thomas wrote after the infamous injustice of Oscar Grant, an African American who was unjustly killed by a police officer. In the novel, The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas uses the conflict, setting, and point of view to show her main message; racism comes in many shapes and forms. The protagonist, Starr Carter, faces various conflicts throughout the novel, and overcomes them in unique and outstanding ways. Thomas uses setting to show different identities with a victim of racism. The narrative voice of this novel, Starr Carter, shows a unique perspective on the effects and damage racism can bring. The Hate U Give uses these

A common conflict rather overlooked was the treatment a supposed ‘best friend’ gave Starr. A prestigious and privileged white girl, Hailey, discriminated Starr and unfollowed her on social medias because of the action Starr took against racism on social media, Maya described Hailey’s words as: “She didn’t want to see that sh*t on her dashboard” (Thomas 250). Starr finally stands up for herself after Maya tells her this, fighting against the racism they let Hailey get away with the previous years. Ever since the death of Starr’s best friend, Khalil, she’s been desperately trying to fight for her friend’s justice, but she still faces racial bias in the face of authority, limiting her voice. “Investigating or Justifying?” (Thomas 102)

Reading into Starr’s understanding of Khalil’s death, given the opportunity to be able to sympathize with her better than in another narrative. Starr is traumatized with the whole situation, providing us with personal emotions. With this in mind, its much easier to understand Starr when she talks about being afraid to tell Khalil’s story: “Now I am that person, and I’m too afraid to speak” (Thomas 35). She doesn’t feel brave enough, and knows that she has the loudest voice, but is still the quietest. Thomas uses this first-person narrative very well with the effects of racism in her different worlds, some things people say or do may not be viewed the same from another person’s perspective. With Hailey’s fried chicken joke, its easy to sympathize and effectively see why Hailey’s comment was wrong, which might not have been realized if the situation wasn’t analyzed through Starr’s eyes. Starr is evidently upset, questioning her ‘best friends’ actions: “I cant believe she said… She couldn’t have. No way” (Thomas 112). Hailey denies it being racist, but to Starr, it didn’t matter what her intentions were, she said something hurtful, and it is evident why she would think that. Starr experiences traumatic flashbacks of the night Khalil died, when Chris touches her. It’s not Chris she fears, it’s the color of his skin. She feels