The Hate U Give Sparknotes

Humans grow over time, both physically and mentally. People can change their physical aspects by running or working out, but changing one's mentality is not easy. To change mentally, one must experience new things and venture out of their comfort zone. Starr from The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is no different. She lives in Garden Heights, a poor neighbourhood that's predominantly, black, but goes to Williamson Prep, a rich, white school. After her friend Khalil is killed in front of her by a police officer, Starr has to deal with all the trauma and pain that stems from this for the rest of the story, trying to keep it together and adapt to the pressure put on her by others. Throughout the novel, even though Starr deals with racism and personal

Due to Chris' understanding of the situation, they are able to make up, with Starr being comfortable around Chris. Starr's acceptance of Chris' colour is shown when she thinks "I still don’t know if I’m betraying who I am by dating Chris, but I’ve missed him so much it hurts. Momma thinks coming to Uncle Carlos’s house is normal, but Chris is the kind of normal I really want. The normal where I don’t have to choose which Starr to be" (Thomas 162-163). At first, Starr is uncomfortable around Chris, but she comes to realize that his skin colour is just a part of him and that though he will never experience what it is like to be black, he can try to understand, causing Starr to be more accepting Chris and people like Chris who try to understand. Through Starr's experience in Williamson prep and her conversation with her friends at the school she learns to call out racism when she sees it, judge the character of those around her better, and become more understanding of those who may not experience what being black is like, but still try to comprehend it. At Garden Heights, Starr learns how to deal with the responsibility of being the sole witness of Khalil's death and the power that comes with being the witness. In order to decide if the police officer that killed Khalil is guilty, Starr must present what she saw to the Grand Jury. At a stressful time like this, she is able to muster her courage and tell her story for the sake of Khalil.

Starr's conviction and determination to help Khalil are shown by the following inner monologue, "The un-brave part of me, which feels like most of me, shouts no. It wants to crawl up in a corner and act as if none of this ever happened. But all those people outside are praying for me. My parents are watching me. Khalil needs me. I straighten up and allow the tiny