wow where do I even start with this masterpiece of a book. I want to start by saying I have had this book on my shelf for a very long time and had not read it until recently, that will be a regret I have for a long time because this is simply put one of the best books I have ever read.
The Hate U Give follow protagonist Starr, who is a beautiful young woman, passionate, intelligent with a wonderful sense of community. Born into the public housing system and who witnesses the death of her childhood friend through gang violence whilst playing in the street at the tender age of ten years resulting in her parents insisting Starr attend a predominately Caucasian school, along with step brother Seven in order to ensure their daughters safety whilst gaining a good education. then one fateful night an act of police brutality changes Starrs live forever. Starr’s parents are incredible characters with her father a local business owner done good after spending time in prison, a former King of Garden Heights in the gang community. Starr’s mother is a local nurse, wonderfully maternal to her children and others with both parents pillars of the community and a rarity in young adult fiction.
The Hate U Give is an enthralling narrative that explores firearm legislation, police brutality, gang culture, racism, racial profiling, homicide, organised protesting and rioting. I found the narrative compelling and hard-hitting which brought about a certain uncomfortableness, not as a Caucasian reader but as a human being. This is a topic that is so prevalent insociety today not just in the USA but all over the world. The Hate U Give will provide readers with perspective and the harm of perpetuating stereotypes and this uncomfortableness was felt in an extremely good way, a way that made the reader feel that the world needs to change and grow positively.
A quote from the book that resonated with me and sums up the struggle that Starr develops through the novel is
I always said that if I saw it happen to somebody, I would have the loudest voice, making sure the world knew what went down.
Now I am that person, and I’m too afraid to speak.
An interesting aspect of the novel is the exploration of the concept that African Americans are pressured by white society to conform both directly and indirectly. As Starr attends a school where the majority of the student body is Caucasian and as only one of two students within her peers who is African American, feels the need to conceal her cultural identity even though most of the students treat her like a rockstar, perhaps a result of the white lens viewing African Americans as being inferior. In that respect, when reading it felt as though the narrative was also all-encompassing of caucasian readers, to be able to connect with a fictional character in order to place the responsibility on white society as a whole for being exclusive.
An interesting quote from the book that showcases this is the the use of THUGLIFE within the novel, which for the white community is reminicisent of gand culture and violence but for the black community within these pages that actually stands for
The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody
Very compelling when you conisder the message behind the story.
One of the most interesting characters and also one I entirely despised was Hailey. A friend, to Starr and Maya, a girl of Chinese hereitage, who used causal racism, derogatory slurs and incredibly offensive comments regularly to both Starr and Maya including removing Starr off of social media after speaking out about the racial murder of Emmit Till, decades before as it offended her. This just further highlights the discomfort felt by predominantly white communities when faced with African American injustice and in particular within the USA.
The Hate U Give is a ferocious and intriguing narrative about the racism that divides communities and the constant racial profiling that results in black lives being lost to police officers who have taken an oath to protect the community that they serve. Around the world, awareness is spreading. Often not even of the black teens and adults being murdered by white police officers but the white lens coverage focused on the riots that proceeded this horrific injustice born out of anger and pain. The world media quick to condemn the angry and justified protests, but through various social media avenues is where the unadulterated and unequitable evidence and statements are to be found. The Hate U Give allows readers an opportunity to experience the lives behind the headlines through their eyes and really acknowledge why the #blacklivesmatter movement demands attention.
Before I read this book I had of course been appalled at the injustices face by teh African American and other communnities throughout the world but I had never really sat and thought about it indepth and what it would be like to have to face that every day from all angles. this novel and Angie Thomas changed that.
Her protagonist Starr has a unique voice, she takes you along with herto a much greater understanding of the realities of it all. Taking an authentic story that it an all to often occurence that happens while most of us go about our daily business and often only give a passing thought to it, or mention it on social media. Angie Thomas places us at the heart of this caring and warm community and makes the reader live it. The Hate U Give is a vibrant, alive on the page book that had me crying yet ultimately uplifted, angry and desolate yet with a steely determination that we must do better.
Nothing I say will ever be able to truly do this book justice and I cannot recommend that you read it enough. I rated this book *****. I gave it 5 stars simply because it was so beautifully written, so compelling and I didn’t want it to end it is a new favourite of mine for sure. #thehateugive #angiethomas #blm #compellingreads #blackfiction #yafiction
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