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Essays on The Hate U Give

Hook examples for "the hate u give" essays, anecdotal hook.

Step into the shoes of Starr Carter as she navigates the complexities of identity, racism, and activism in "The Hate U Give."

Question Hook

What happens when a teenager witnesses a tragic act of police brutality? Explore the profound questions raised by Angie Thomas in her gripping novel.

Quotation Hook

"Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right." — Angie Thomas, "The Hate U Give." Reflect on the powerful messages embedded in this quote.

Statistical or Factual Hook

"The Hate U Give" spent 80 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list and has been adapted into a critically acclaimed film. Explore the cultural impact of this work.

Definition Hook

What does it mean to be an activist in the face of injustice? Delve into the novel's portrayal of activism and social responsibility.

Rhetorical Question Hook

Can literature be a catalyst for change? Discover how "The Hate U Give" has sparked important conversations about race, inequality, and police violence.

Historical Hook

Explore the historical context of systemic racism in the United States and how it informs the events of "The Hate U Give."

Contrast Hook

Contrast Starr's two worlds: her predominantly black neighborhood and her predominantly white private school. This contrast drives the narrative's central conflict.

Narrative Hook

Follow Starr's journey as she finds her voice and confronts her fears, all while grappling with the legacy of Tupac Shakur's "THUG LIFE."

Shocking Statement Hook

Prepare to be shocked by the harsh realities and injustices depicted in "The Hate U Give." This story is a powerful wake-up call to the issues plaguing society.

Depiction of Racism and Injustive in "The Hate U Give"

The activism of black people in the hate u give, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

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The Interpretation of Tragedy in The Hate U Give

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The Hate U Give: Growing Up Black in a White World

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Gender and Racial Discrimination on Example of "Hidden Figures" & "The Hate U Give"

Racial injustice in the hate u give, starr’s approach on the hate u give, social aspects of racial discrimination in the hate u give, choices and fate: the other wes moore and the hate u give, how to overcome struggles in life: bravery in the hate u give, the hate u give: an analytical exploration.

February 28, 2017, Angie Thomas

Bildungsroman; Young Adult Fiction

Starr Carter, Khalil Harris, Maverick “Big Mav” Carter, Lisa Carter, Uncle Carlos, Seven Carter, King, Chris, One-Fifteen, Hailey Grant, DeVAnte, Kenya

"The Hate U Give" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel by Angie Thomas. The story follows sixteen-year-old Starr Carter, who lives in a poor, predominantly Black neighborhood while attending a predominantly white private school. Starr's life takes a tragic turn when she witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend, Khalil, at the hands of a police officer. The incident sparks outrage and protest in her community, and Starr finds herself caught between two worlds as she navigates the aftermath. Haunted by the traumatic event, Starr becomes determined to speak up for Khalil and fight for justice. As she confronts systemic racism, police brutality, and the weight of her own voice, she finds herself torn between fear and the need to make a difference. With the support of her family and friends, Starr finds the courage to stand up against injustice, challenging the status quo and advocating for the truth.

"The Hate U Give" is set in the contemporary United States, primarily in the fictional neighborhood of Garden Heights, a predominantly Black and low-income community. Garden Heights is plagued by poverty, violence, and the constant presence of drugs. The neighborhood is characterized by its strong sense of community and resilience, with tight-knit families and a vibrant culture. In contrast, Starr Carter, the protagonist, attends Williamson Prep, a predominantly white private school located in a wealthier neighborhood. The school represents a stark contrast to Starr's home environment, with its privilege, affluence, and racial divide. The story also takes place in various other settings, including Starr's home, the Carter family's store, and the courtroom where the trial against the police officer unfolds. Each setting plays a significant role in depicting the stark differences in social, economic, and racial dynamics present in the lives of the characters.

1. Racial Injustice: The novel confronts the deep-rooted racial inequalities and systemic racism that persist in society. It addresses issues such as police brutality, racial profiling, and the unequal distribution of power, shedding light on the unequal treatment and discrimination faced by Black individuals. 2. Identity and Authenticity: The theme of identity is central to the story. The protagonist, Starr, grapples with the pressure to code-switch between her predominantly white school and her predominantly Black neighborhood. The novel explores the challenges of navigating multiple identities and the importance of embracing one's authentic self. 3. Voice and Activism: The power of using one's voice to speak out against injustice and effect change is a significant theme in the novel. Starr finds her voice and becomes an activist, challenging the silence and demanding accountability for the injustices she witnesses. 4. Family and Community: The importance of family and community support is a recurring theme. The novel explores the strength and resilience found within the Carter family and the wider community of Garden Heights, highlighting the power of unity and support in the face of adversity. 5. Empathy and Understanding: The novel emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding across racial and cultural lines. It encourages readers to step into the shoes of others, confront their biases, and strive for a more compassionate and inclusive society.

1. Symbolism: The novel utilizes symbolism to represent larger ideas and themes. For example, the title itself, "The Hate U Give," is a play on the acronym "THUG LIFE" popularized by Tupac Shakur. It symbolizes the cycle of violence and injustice perpetuated by society and the importance of breaking that cycle. 2. Imagery: The author skillfully uses vivid imagery to create a visual and emotional impact on the reader. One example is the description of Khalil's death scene, where the reader can feel the intensity of the moment and the emotions evoked by the tragedy. 3. Foreshadowing: The novel incorporates foreshadowing to hint at future events and build suspense. For instance, early in the story, Starr's father advises her on how to interact with the police, foreshadowing the pivotal role that police violence will play later in the narrative. 4. Flashbacks: Through the use of flashbacks, the author provides insights into the characters' past experiences, allowing the reader to understand their motivations and experiences. These flashbacks add depth to the characters and contribute to the overall narrative.

One example of its representation in media is the 2018 film adaptation directed by George Tillman Jr. The movie received critical acclaim for its faithful adaptation of the novel's themes and characters. It brought the story to a broader audience, allowing viewers to connect emotionally with the characters and the issues they face. The film's powerful performances and visual storytelling captured the essence of the novel, shedding light on the realities of racial inequality and police violence. Another representation of "The Hate U Give" in media is through social media platforms. The hashtag #TheHateUGive gained traction, with readers and viewers sharing their thoughts, personal reflections, and discussions about the book and film. This online discourse provided a space for people to engage with the story's themes and share their own experiences related to racial injustice.

"The Hate U Give" has had a significant influence on both literature and society, inspiring important conversations and igniting a call for social change. The novel's impact stems from its unflinching portrayal of racial injustice, police brutality, and the power of activism. One of the key influences of "The Hate U Give" is its ability to shed light on the experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities, particularly African Americans. Through the authentic voice of the protagonist, Starr Carter, the book provides a window into the struggles and resilience of individuals facing systemic racism. The novel's impact extends beyond the literary world. It has become a rallying cry for social justice movements, sparking activism and raising awareness about police violence. The phrase "The Hate U Give Little Infants F*cks Everybody" (THUG LIFE), which inspired the book's title, has become a powerful slogan representing the interconnectedness of societal problems and the importance of addressing root causes.

"The Hate U Give" made a significant impact upon its release, spending over 80 weeks on The New York Times bestseller list. The book's success is attributed to its engaging narrative and its ability to tackle complex issues with sensitivity and authenticity. It received widespread critical acclaim, winning numerous awards, including the Coretta Scott King Book Award and the William C. Morris Award for Best Debut Novel. The novel's popularity extended beyond the literary world with a successful film adaptation released in 2018. The movie starred Amandla Stenberg as Starr Carter and received critical acclaim for its faithful adaptation and powerful performances. The film further amplified the book's message, reaching a broader audience and sparking important discussions about race and social justice.

"The Hate U Give" is a powerful and important novel that tackles relevant and urgent issues such as racial injustice, police brutality, and systemic oppression. It provides readers with a thought-provoking exploration of the African American experience and the challenges faced by marginalized communities. Writing an essay about "The Hate U Give" allows for a deeper analysis of these themes and their implications in society. Through Starr's perspective, the book examines the emotional and psychological impact of racial trauma, the complexities of code-switching, and the importance of finding one's voice in the face of adversity. Furthermore, "The Hate U Give" encourages critical reflection on systemic racism and the role of activism in effecting social change. By exploring the novel's characters, relationships, and events, an essay can delve into the broader societal implications of racial inequality and the power dynamics at play.

“What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?” “At an early age I learned that people make mistakes, and you have to decide if their mistakes are bigger than your love for them.” “That's the problem. We let people say stuff, and they say it so much that it becomes okay to them and normal for us. What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?” “I can't change where I come from or what I've been through, so why should I be ashamed of what makes me, me?” “Once you've seen how broken someone is it's like seeing them naked—you can't look at them the same anymore.”

1. Angie Thomas. (n.d.). The Hate U Give. Balzer + Bray. 2. Bell, E. (2018). Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give and the problem of radical empathy. Children's Literature in Education, 49(2), 127-138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10583-018-9355-3 3. Crowe, C. (2018). "That's the point of it, huh? No matter what I do, the two halves of me are at war with each other": Code-switching as a strategy of self-representation in Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give. Children's Literature Association Quarterly, 43(1), 50-69. https://doi.org/10.1353/chq.2018.0002 4. Delgado, E. (2017). A revolution in YA publishing: Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give and the birth of a new activism. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 61(6), 653-657. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaal.784 5. Donovan, L. (2019). Engaging with Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give: Teaching social justice through young adult literature. The ALAN Review, 46(3), 13-22. https://doi.org/10.21061/alan.v46i3.a.3 6. Ebersole, S. (2018). The Hate U Give and the function of the tragic mulatta. The ALAN Review, 45(3), 36-41. https://doi.org/10.21061/alan.v45i3.a.4 7. Hinton, S. E. (2017). The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. School Library Journal, 63(2), 88. 8. Osgerby, B. (2019). Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give and the history of the contemporary young adult novel. Children's Literature in Education, 50(2), 162-174. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10583-018-9381-1 9. Thomas, A. (2017). The Hate U Give. HarperCollins. 10. Wade, L., & Nourbese, D. P. (2019). "You can't have both": Double-consciousness, critical literacy, and The Hate U Give. Children's Literature in Education, 50(1), 35-49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10583-018-9380-2

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Themes and Analysis

The hate u give, by angie thomas.

The book, ‘The Hate U Give’ isn’t just a book that some people are forced to read in English class, but instead a book that can teach you valuable lessons applicable to our lives. The lessons can be found in the themes.

Article written by Ugo Juliet

Former Lecturer. Author of multiple books. Degree from University Of Nigeria, Nsukka.

The themes of a story are the deeper meanings and truth that the book reveals. Sometimes they are easily found like this book, but other times, you have read it many times before you can find it. ‘ The Hate U Give ’ by Angie Thomas is a story for a young adult novel . It is about the life of 16-year-old Starr Carter, a young girl who witnesses the death of Khalil Harris, her childhood best friend. An unarmed Khalil was shot and killed by a white police officer, showing irresponsibility and police brutality present in many African-American communities. 

Most school teachers are teaching the novel ‘ The Hate U Give ’ this school year because the themes and events that take place in the novel connect to the society we live in today. There are so many themes that can be found in the book like police brutality, identity, and double consciousness. Here are some of them.

‘ The Hate U Give ’ Themes

Police brutality.

The leader of the drug gang in Garden Heights, King, constantly warns Starr not to speak up about this incident in order for his business to remain secretive. In the book, you see Garden Heights, the fictional neighborhood, isn’t the best place to be but they don’t usually call the cops. Many people believe that the novel would be a catalyst for deeper questioning and engaging class discussions. 

It is also believed that students will inevitably generate concern for relevant issues like police brutality that the book revolves around. Khalil’s death put Starr in a dilemma with the tough decision of either speaking up against police brutality or keeping quiet to ensure that King doesn’t come after her and her family. King takes advantage of the protest and riots to set Mavericks (Starr’s father) ‘s store on fire with both Starr and Seven (Maverick’s son) inside.

In the novel, Starr was confused, mad, and felt very lonely because she couldn’t understand her struggle. She tried rebelling and wanted to defend not only her beliefs but others’ beliefs as well. King was arrested at the end of the book after being snitched on by neighbors, and the Carter family moved into a new house in a safer neighborhood. Also, Starr makes a promise to continue fighting against injustice and to never stay silent again.

Identity and Double-Consciousness

In an 1897 article in the Atlantic, W.E.B. Du Bois, a sociologist noted that he felt a “two-ness” came from seeing himself through the eyes of others. In ‘ The Hate U Give ’, the author increases Starr’s dilemma by having her dramatically move between two worlds – the neighborhood where she lives, African American Garden Heights, and the school environment, white Williamson Prep.

With her friends from Garden Heights, Starr uses slang, liberally uses ghetto languages, and topics like “stank-eye, gangbanging.” With her friends from school, she is careful to always use proper English and watches her tone so no one can dismiss her as an “angry black girl.” She learned early on, when she tried to have a slumber party with both sets of friends that the two worlds do not mesh, and she finds it exhausting to keep up two separate personas. 

Starr, trying to be acceptable to both worlds, causes an identity crisis that prevents her from being her real self and truly connecting with others. She wishes she could be like Will, the main character in the 90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, whom she believes acted true to himself despite attending a fancy school. Starr and her white boyfriend, Chris, share a fondness for the sitcom and can recite entire episodes to each other. Still, Starr does not feel safe enough with Chris to reveal her trauma over the deaths of Natasha and Khalil. When Chris confronts her at prom about being the witness to Khalil’s death, it is a watershed moment for Starr. 

The Pervasiveness of Racism

Khalil is a victim of thug life both in life and death. A lack of economic opportunity in their town led to his drug dealing. After his death, racial profiling led to his being blamed for his own murder. As Khalil’s friend and the witness to his shooting, Starr has to navigate the overt racism of One-Fifteen and the people who justify and guard him. And as an African American pupil in a predominately white school, Starr has to cope with each day’s microaggressions from human beings like Hailey, who refuse to renowned their white privilege.

One-Fifteen symbolizes the regular chance of police brutality in opposition to African Americans. Although he’s slightly gifted as a character, he looms over the complete narrative. One-Fifteen pulls the young adults over due to a damaged taillight. However, he’s unnecessarily competitive in the direction of Khalil, assuming Khalil is as much as not real due to the fact he’s African American.

In a TV interview, One-Fifteen’s father characterizes his son as “afraid for his life” for the duration of his come across with the young adults, whilst in fact, Starr and Khalil posed no threat to him. One-Fifteen’s father additionally paints his son as a type of white savior, nobly risking himself “to make a distinction withinside the lives” of the citizens of Garden Heights. Starr calls this mindset out as no exceptional from how slave masters notion they were “saving African Americans from their ‘wild African ways.” Because of a justice gadget stacked in opposition to African Americans, One-Fifteen suffers no effects for killing an unarmed teen.

Hailey casually throws cruel comments toward Starr and Maya, and she refuses to acknowledge that she has done anything wrong, even when directly challenged. Instead, she makes her feel guilty and turns their argument around, and in the process, making herself a victim instead of a perpetrator. Thomas shows how this is a kind of gaslighting that makes Hailey’s victims question themselves so she can retain the moral high ground and maintain the status quo. 

The Defeating Cycle of Poverty

The truth of Khalil’s character is at the forefront of Starr’s mind and thus becomes one of the focal points of Thomas’s narrative. Thomas investigates the crushing cycle of poverty through Khalil’s life and death, the way it limits choices for African Americans, and how their crimes provide justification for white people to continue to dismiss and oppress them.

Starr and Khalil have known each other since they were kids her babysitter, Ms. Rosalie, is Khalil’s grandmother. Although they have drifted apart since Starr started attending Williamson Prep, she trusts him enough to get in his car without a second thought when shots ring out at a party in Garden Heights. She is sure that One-Fifteen murdered him, as he did nothing wrong.

However, Starr finds herself conflicted and wondering how much she can defend someone who dealt drugs and may have been a gang member. In fact, she denies knowing him when her friends at Williamson prep dismiss him as a thug. When she hears One-Fifteen’s father lying about Khalil and painting him as a threat to his son’s life, Starr realizes she must speak for Khalil and let people know the true story, that Khalil is as much a victim of institutionalized racism as he is of One-Fifteen’s gun.

Khalil earned some money at Maverick’s store, but his grandmother’s cancer treatments became unmanageable. She wonders if this makes her a thug, too, providing justification for white people to kill her as well. Starr knows she is lucky to have two parents who are loving and gainfully employed and who have successfully escaped the depressing cycle of poverty. She knows that most people in Garden Heights are not so lucky, and it is up to her and those like her to help out in any way possible.

Analysis of Key Moments in ‘ The Hate U Give ’

There are various major events that happened in the novel. Here are some of the most notable ones.

• The teens at a party at Greater heights where gunshots were heard.
• The shooting of Khalil at the traffic stop by One-Fifteen.
• After the shooting of her friend, Khalil, by the police; Starr gained the firmness f mind within herself to testify before a grand jury to seek justice for his death.
• Starr made a decision not to keep silent anymore and agreed to testify before the grand jury. 
• Starr gives a statement to the police about what happened, after One-Fifteen shoots Khalil.
• Starr testifies in front of the grand jury, and this finally brings to light the full truth of what happened the night of Khalil death. After this testimony, Starr decides that she will do all she can do to seek justice for Khalil.
• The grand jury did not indict One-Fifteen. 
• Starr and her friends hide at her family store, but King burns the store by tossing a Molotov cocktail into the store and burns it down. The neighbors reported to the police that it was King who started the fire, which led to his arrest.

Style, Tone, and Figurative Language in ‘ The Hate U Give ’

The author used the first-person viewpoint throughout the story. Angie used the sarcastic, witty, and upbeat social commentary of the protagonist to give the novel an optimistic tone in the face of tragedy. Yet, there is an atmosphere of indignation in the book, which is directed at the oppressive systems in society. The characters in ‘ The Hate U Give’ have to fight against the system each and every day.

The major clash in the story is between Starr and herself as she struggles to speak up and fight for her friend, Khalil. Another major conflict is the one between the book’s African-American characters and the racism and brutality they face in their lives.

There is foreshadowing in the book when Starr shows concern over what to do if a police car stops her. This was a foreshadowing of Khalil’s later shooting. The intrinsic bad feeling that Starr and Lisa got about the police investigation into the case of Officer One-Fifteen is another foreshadowing of the jury’s decision not to prosecute the police officer.

Analysis of the Symbols

Khalil’s hairbrush.

Khalil’s hairbrush is similar to Khalil. This is because of the significance attached to a black teenager in such a neighborhood. The hairbrush looks dangerous to a cop who racially profiles, even though it is not. Therefore, the hairbrush represents the racist assumptions that white people make about African Americans.

An activist, Ms. Ofrah, informs Starr and her parents that officer Cruise mistook Khalil’s hairbrush for a gun because “the handle was thick enough, black enough, for him to assume it was a gun.” Maverick points out that Khalil was black too, suggesting that One-Fifteen only “saw” a gun because he expected one to be there. One-Fifteen, like other white police officers who monitor the black neighborhoods, makes the racist assumption that an African American teen who tries to resist them must be a criminal.

One-Fifteen

One-fifteen is the badge number of the cop who killed Khalil. In the novel, it is a symbol of unrestrained police brutality towards African Americans. Starr kept referring to the officer as “One-Fifteen,” instead of his real name because of two main things. First, Starr said she learned to get the badge number of any cop she interacted with because she was told about the police from her juvenile age.

Starr and other children in the African American neighborhood are taught early how to avoid confrontation with the police. This is because they are much more likely to be harassed by police because of racial profiling. So they are taught to always cooperate and never make any sudden movements in order to stay safe. The second thing is that by not referring to One-Fifteen by his given name, Starr is refusing to make him human or sympathize with him. She puts the focus squarely where it should be: on his victim, Khalil Harris.

How many times did Khalil get shot?

The police officer that killed Khalil shot him three times. He felt he was grabbing a gun and shoots Khalil immediately, killing him. The only reason Starr agrees to go to an interview with police about the shooting is because of the encouragement by her detective Uncle.

What does Khalil’s hairbrush represent?

Khalil’s Hairbrush is one of the symbols in the book. The hairbrush represents two things. The first thing is the blinding power of a racist system. The second thing is the senselessness of racism. One-Fifteen alleges that he shot Khalil because he mistook his hairbrush for a gun.

Why did One-fifteen pull Khalil over?

According to the police officer, One-Fifteen, Khalil was pulled over because of a broken taillight. He asks them where they are coming from, to which Khalil responds with “nunya.” One-Fifteen demands that Khalil gets out of the car, pins his arm behind his back, and proceeds to search him.

What does One-Fifteen symbolize in ‘ The Hate U Give ’ ?

One-Fifteen, the badge number of the cop who murders Khalil, is another symbol in ‘ The Hate U Give ’ . It symbolizes unfettered police brutality against African Americans. One-Fifteen becomes a symbol for the larger issue of institutional racism because white parents never have to give their white children this safety talk.

What is a symbol in ‘ The Hate U Give ?’

There are two main symbols in the book. They are Khalil hairbrush and One-Fifteen, the police officer. One of the protest chants was that ‘A hairbrush is not a gun!’, in protest of the shooting of Khalil under the guise of him having a gun and the anger felt by the African-American community.

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About Ugo Juliet

Juliet Ugo is an experienced content writer and a literature expert with a passion for the written word with over a decade of experience. She is particularly interested in analyzing books, and her insightful interpretations of various genres have made her a well-known authority in the field.

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Home > Office of Graduate Studies > Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations > 1707

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The hate u give as counternarrative: a rhetorical site of competing frames & the disruption of dominant narratives through counter-storytelling & homing.

Jackeline Camacho Follow

Date of Award

Document type, degree name.

Master of Arts in English and Writing Studies

First Reader/Committee Chair

Fernandez, Miriam

Angie Thomas’s novel, The Hate U Give , is an African American Young Adult novel (AAYA) that captures the violence and devastating effects of police brutality and the gruesome rhetorical strategies that the dominant public sphere uses to criminalize, regulate, and dehumanize Black Americans. In this paper, I use the theoretical framework of counter-storytelling, the theoretical concept of homing, and the rhetorical strategy of framing, to analyze how Thomas exposes the ways in which the dominant public sphere silences, excludes, and discredits the voices and experiences of Black people to give readers access to the dominant public sphere in order to critique its foundations. Through counter-storytelling, homing, and rhetorical framing, The Hate U Give constructs a new counterpublic where the voices at the margins are brought to the center, where fiction and reality are interconnected, and where counternarratives model for readers how to confront and deconstruct systemic racism and oppression.

Recommended Citation

Camacho, Jackeline, "THE HATE U GIVE AS COUNTERNARRATIVE: A RHETORICAL SITE OF COMPETING FRAMES & THE DISRUPTION OF DOMINANT NARRATIVES THROUGH COUNTER-STORYTELLING & HOMING" (2023). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations . 1707. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/1707

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The Hate U Give

Angie thomas, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

The Hate U Give follows sixteen-year-old Starr Carter after she witnesses the killing of Khalil Harris , her unarmed black friend, by a white police officer. Though this specific moment of police brutality spurs the action of the novel, author Angie Thomas also presents excessive force as part of a larger tapestry of racism and the criminalization of black communities in America as a whole.

Police brutality is such a reality in Starr’s world that her parents Maverick and Lisa give each of their children “the talk” about how to behave around law enforcement. When pulled over after Big D ’s party, Starr is grateful that her parents told her “what to do if a cop stopped” her and hopes “somebody had the talk with Khalil.” For black children, knowing how to act in front of law enforcement can be a matter of life and death. Maverick further instills in his children knowledge of how systemic racism manifests in society. Starr and her half-brother Seven are taught to recite the Black Panther’s Ten-Point Program, including the phrase, “We want an immediate end to police brutality and the murder of black people, other people of color, and oppressed people.” These steps are necessary in a world quick to assume that black individuals are dangerous.

The criminalization of black youth appears early in the novel, when Khalil is shot during a traffic stop despite posing no threat to One-Fifteen , the officer who pulls him over. One-Fifteen then points his gun at the unarmed, terrified Starr until backup arrives. This scene establishes that black people, even children, are not only not afforded a presumption of innocence, but are often deemed threats. The media then attempts to present Khalil as a thug in an effort to rationalize One-Fifteen’s actions. Even Carlos , Starr’s uncle and a detective on the same force as One-Fifteen, describes the officer as “a good guy” who was in over his head. Maverick pointedly responds by questioning why One-Fifteen “assumed” that Khalil was “a thug” just “by looking at” him. In his television interview, One-Fifteen’s father further attempts to garner sympathy for his son by painting him as a man who feared for his life. The media’s focus on Khalil’s alleged background as a drug dealer is another tool to exonerate One-Fifteen. As Starr points out, however, selling drugs should not be a death sentence. The novel thus suggests that black children are not simply robbed of their innocence, but also killed for minor transgressions.

Though Khalil’s death is the novel’s most horrific example of excessive force, the thinking that underlies police brutality manifests throughout Thomas’s story. The fact that a black officer, Larry , later forces Maverick to the ground suggests that though brutality is targeted towards communities of color, its perpetrators need not be white. Thomas elevates police brutality beyond an issue of black vs. white individuals and suggests that the systemic criminalization of people of color can be internalized by anyone.

The inclusion of Carlos further complicates the notion that all police officers are “bad.” Carlos defends the force to Maverick, pointing out he’d “be surprised at how many of us want justice in this case.” Starr is initially conflicted about joining in protests following Khalil’s death in part because of her uncle. Ultimately, however, she decides that the issue “isn’t him or his coworkers who do their jobs right. Rather, “This is about One-Fifteen, those detectives with their bullshit questions, and those cops who made Daddy lie on the ground.” Thomas suggests that police brutality is not just about individual officers, but rather a culture that allows prejudice and violence against communities of color to go unchecked. The fact that Carlos eventually does confront One-Fifteen and is put on leave for it also suggests that anyone who doesn’t defend the “bad apples” risks their job. This points to a broken culture of policing in general, even if not all officers are actively racist.

Racism and Police Brutality ThemeTracker

Racism and Police Brutality Quotes in The Hate U Give

As long as I play it cool and keep to myself, I should be fine. The ironic thing is though, at Williamson I don't have to “play it cool” — I’m cool by default because I'm one of the only black kids there. I have to earn coolness in Garden Heights, and that's more difficult than buying retro Jordans on release day.

Funny how it works with white kids though. It's dope to be black until it's hard to be black.

Garden Heights has been a battlefield for the past two months over some stupid territory wars. I was born a “queen” ‘cause Daddy used to be a King Lord. But when he left the game, my street royalty status ended. But even if I’d grown up in it, I wouldn't understand fighting over streets nobody owns.

Listen! The Hate U-the letter U-Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody. T-H-U-G L-I-F-E. Meaning what society give us as youth, it bites them in the ass when we wild out. Get it?

The other talk was about what to do if a cop stopped me. … “Starr-Starr, you do whatever they tell you to do," he said. "Keep your hands visible. Don't make any sudden moves. Only speak when they speak to you."

I knew it must've been serious. Daddy has the biggest mouth of anybody I know, and if he said to be quiet, I needed to be quiet.

But I swear I wanna cuss Khalil out. How he could sell the very stuff that took his momma from him? Did he realize that he was taking somebody else's momma from them? Did he realize that if he does become a hashtag, some people will only see him as a drug dealer?

He was so much more than that.

Williamson Starr doesn't use slang—if a rapper would say it, she doesn't say it, even if her white friends do. Slang makes them cool. Slang makes her “hood.” Williamson Starr holds her tongue when people piss her off so nobody will think she's the “angry black girl.” Williamson Starr is approachable. No stank-eyes, side-eyes, none of that. Williamson Starr is nonconfrontational. Basically, Williamson Starr doesn't give anyone a reason to call her ghetto.

Hailey texted me immediately after, freaking out. I thought it was because she couldn't believe someone would do that to a kid. No. She couldn't believe I would reblog such an awful picture.

My voice is changing already. It always happens around “other” people, whether I'm at Williamson or not. I don't talk like me or sound like me. I choose every word carefully and make sure I pronounce them well. I can never, ever let anyone think I'm ghetto.

“Hustle! Pretend the ball is some fried chicken. Bet you'll stay on it then.”

The drug dealer. That's how they see him. It doesn't matter that he's suspected of doing it. “Drug dealer” is louder than “suspected” ever will be.

If it's revealed that I was in the car, what will that make me? The thug ghetto girl with the drug dealer? What will my teachers think about me? My friends? The whole fucking world, possibly?

“Drugs come from somewhere, and they're destroying our community," he says. “You got folks like Brenda, who think they need them to survive, and then you got the Khalils who think they need to sell them to survive. The Brendas can't get jobs unless they're clean, and they can't pay for rehab unless they got jobs. When the Khalils get arrested for selling drugs, they either spend most of their life in prison, another billion-dollar industry, or they have a hard time getting a real job and probably start selling drugs again. That’s the hate they’re giving us, baby, a system designed against us. That’s ‘Thug Life.’”

[Tupac] explains Thug Life like Khalil said he did. The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody. ‘Pac spells out “Fucks” because that kid is looking dead in his face. When Khalil told me what it meant I kinda understood it. I really understand it now.

“That's the so-called gun,” Ms. Ofrah explains. “Officer Cruise claims he saw it in the car door, and he assumed Khalil was reaching for it. The handle was thick enough, black enough, for him to assume it was a gun.”

“And Khalil was black enough,” Daddy adds.

A hairbrush. Khalil died over a fucking hairbrush.

“I've tried to forget it, but I remember everything. The shots, the look on Natasha's face. They never caught the person who did it. I guess it didn't matter enough. But it did matter. She mattered.” I look at Ms. Ofrah, but I can barely see her for all the tears. “And I want everyone to know that Khalil mattered too.”

Funny. Slave masters thought they were making a difference in black people's lives too. Saving them from their wild African ways. Same shit, different century. I wish people like them would stop thinking that people like me need saving.

That's the problem. We let people say stuff, and they say it so much that it becomes okay to them and normal for us. What’s the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?

“I knew that boy. Watched him grow up with you. He was more than any bad decision he made,” he says. “I hate that I let myself fall into that mind-set of trying to rationalize his death. And at the end of the day, you don’t kill someone for opening a car door. If you do, you shouldn't be a cop.”

Ms. Ofrah says this interview is the way I fight. When you fight, you put yourself out there, not caring who you hurt or if you'll get hurt.

So I throw one more blow, right at One-Fifteen.

“I’d ask him if he wished he shot me too.”

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 Chris, maybe without realizing it, I have to an extent. Part of me feels like I can't exist around people like him.

Hailey hands me two pictures. One is Khalil's thugshot, as Daddy calls it. One of the pictures they've shown on the news. Hailey printed it off the internet. Khalil wears a smirk, gripping a handful of money and throwing up a sideways peace sign.

The other picture, he's twelve. I know because I'm twelve in it too. It's my birthday party at this laser tag place downtown. Khalil's on one side of me, shoveling strawberry cake into his mouth, and Hailey's on my other side, grinning for the camera along with me.

The bullhorn is as heavy as a gun. Ironic since Ms. Ofrah said to use my weapon.

He said Thug Life stood for “The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody.” We did all that stuff last night because we were pissed, and it fucked all of us. Now we have to somehow un-fuck everybody.

It would be easy to quit if it was just about me, Khalil, that night, and that cop. It's about way more than that though. It's about Seven. Sekani. Kenya. DeVante.

It's also about Oscar.

It's even about that little boy in 1955 who nobody recognized at first—Emmett.

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The Hate U Give: As You Are Black, You Have No Rights

() , , (), –

Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give is a polemical novel because of its strong condemnation of the racism that has targeted African-Americans. The Hate U Give revolves around racism against people coming from black background in the USA. Race has been always a sensitive aspect in America due to its often ugly history of slavery. Racism has always been associated with power dominance and enforcement of oppression which is still in the hands of Whites in America. The Hate U Give is a perfect showcase of the hatred that African Americans have received from the American society.

Keywords: Racism , USA , black background , hate , whites

This work by European American Journals is licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 Unported License

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The Hate U Give

By angie thomas, the hate u give police brutality and black lives matter.

Police brutality is the term for abuse of authority committed by police when they employ excessive force; it is particularly used in the context of unwarranted violence towards minorities. It is is usually applied to physical harm, but it can also include psychological harm through insults and intimidation. The modern definition of police brutality has its roots in the Civil Rights movement era, when police brutally put down peaceful protests in places like Selma, Alabama. In recent years, individuals who commit acts of police brutality may do so with the tacit approval of their larger departments or may be “bad apples,” or rogue officers. They may also try to cover up the illegality of their actions.

The international activist moment Black Lives Matter (BLM) was created in response to such police brutality. The movement began in 2013 after the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter spread on Twitter following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, a white man, after he shot Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teen. BLM gained national recognition for street protests following the police-perpetrated deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and Eric Garner in New York City. Since Ferguson, the movement has protested the deaths of black men and women in police shootings and in police custody.

BLM is part of a larger, polarized national debate on police brutality and racial profiling. The slogan “All Lives Matter” gained popularity as a counter to BLM; it has been criticized for misunderstanding what Black Lives Matter means at the expense of minorities. After two police officers were shot in Ferguson, the hashtag Blue Lives Matter was popularized by supporters of the police.

The Hate U Give Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for The Hate U Give is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Finally, Starr’s blog offers an important perspective on Khalil after he has been dismissed as a drug dealer and thug by the general public. Her tender snapshots of Khalil’s life demonstrate the importance of not limiting people to stereotypes, or...

How does Starr feel about being at the party

Starr feels invisible and uncomfortable at the party. She seems different from everyone else because she goes to a different school, dresses differently, and she is really not into drugs or alcohol.

The Hate You Give

Seven's living arrangements change for a few reasons, the first being his desire to protect his sisters. More importantly, Seven's relationship with his mother is strained, and his mother's relationship with King doesn't help matters. Seven feels...

Study Guide for The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give study guide contains a biography of Angie Thomas, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About The Hate U Give
• The Hate U Give Summary
• The Hate U Give Video
• Character List

Essays for The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.

• Inequality Merges With Truth: Societies at Odds in 'The Hate U Give'
• 'The Hate U Give': A Critique of Modern Day American Society
• The Relationships: the Building Blocks of Life

Lesson Plan for The Hate U Give

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to The Hate U Give
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• The Hate U Give Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for The Hate U Give

• Introduction
• Development and publication

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• Undergraduate Papers

Racial Discrimination Portrayed in Angie Thomas’s Novel The Hate U Give

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• Undergraduate Papers [656]

The Acolyte 's Amandla Stenberg releases music video addressing "silly racists" and online hate

"i’m going viral on twitter again," stenberg's song—which calls out racists and people who've been deluging her with online hate—begins.

The Acolyte star Amandla Stenberg is pretty busy at the moment, what with starring in what is (spoilers for the current latest Star Wars Disney+ TV show) a dual-role in the big-budget streaming series. But that didn’t stop her from venturing into a different form of the arts this week, with THR noting that Stenberg has recorded a music video and released yesterday it via Instagram in honor of yesterday’s Juneteenth holiday—one that directly addresses the reaction that certain quarters of the online world (i.e., the deeply annoying ones) have had to a Star Wars show that dares to highlight a higher percentage than usual of non-white, non-straight characters. (The series has faced tons of online vitriol, as well as allegations of review bombing, with its Rotten Tomatoes audience score having tanked not long after release.)

In fact, Stenberg’s untitled track is pretty wide-ranging in its topics of conversation, having clearly been inspired by a whole series of various shitstorms that have been targeted at her in recent weeks—including a resurfacing and misappropriation of a Daily Show interview she gave when she was still a teenager, talking about The Hate U Give and the fact that “white people crying actually was the goal” for the film. (Which, she also reminds listeners, was about a young Black boy being shot by police, and which is a film entirely about the importance of empathy in the first place.)

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If you want a full breakdown of the lyrics—which also cite Childish Gambino, analyze the worst people’s embrace of “Woke” as an insult, and call out journalists for leveraging “metrics and data” instead of pursuing the truth— THR ’s got them transcribed . (The song’s refrain, “We so bored don’t fuck with yo discourse,” playing over shots of Stenberg dancing with “Discourse” flashing over her head, convey at least part of the gist.) On her post, Stenberg wrote,

“Happy Juneteenth 🖤

and to those who are flooding me with intolerable racism— since it took me 72 hours on my laptop to make this song and video, u got 72 hours to respond. and I expect choreo!!”

To the shock of no human brain ever, the replies to Stenberg’s post have been absolutely buried in shitty comments and hate.