The powerful YA novel that shines a blazing light on Black Lives Matter – The Hate You Give.
The Hate You Give – the blurb
Sixteen-year-old Starr lives in two worlds: the poor neighbourhood where she was born and raised and her posh high school in the suburbs. The uneasy balance between them is shattered when Starr is the only witness to the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community. It could also get her killed.
But he was a drug dealer
Everyone should read this book. Everyone should learn from it. The Hate You Give is totally different to my usual reading fodder. The language is authentic, sometimes colourful, sometimes so young, hip and cultural that I didn’t know what was being referred to. Yet I understood enough to follow. Enough to feel anger at the injustice suffered by Starr and best friend Khalil. If you haven’t heard of the Black Lives Matter movement (where have you been?) this book doesn’t just shines a light on it, it shines a whole Blackpool illuminations on it. The nuances Thomas incorporated; why should Khalil’s death matter? He was dealing drugs. He would have been murdered anyway give it time.
Living the THUG Life
I loved reading about the inner workings of Garden Heights, the Gangs, the references to 2PAC and THUGLIFE. The book has been out a few years now and I confess it wasn’t until recently that I realised The Hate You Give spells out THUG. It was only when I read the book I understood the full meaning. I felt very white when reading this book and very ignorant. I would like to meet Starr, to talk to her and understand her life more. Sometimes there are books that open your eyes, educate you, or at least make you aware or your lack of education. This is such a book.
Family first
Starr’s family were one of my favorite things about The Hate You Give. Throughout the book Thomas imposes such a strong sense of family. So many young adult books (and even children books) have a dysfunctional family at the center. Yet Starr’s was brimming with love, respect, morality and understanding. Yes they bitched, fibbed and annoyed one another but it felt very real, very embracing and one you would want to be part of.
Know yourself
I loved that Starr had a white boyfriend. With Hailey’s inclusion it could have been quite an anti white novel. But it wasn’t. Of course racism and inequality is at the heart of THUG but so too was family, speaking up for yourself and what you believe in, realising who you are and where you fit in. It was a powerful coming of age novel with so, so much more.
Without doubt THUG is a standout for its genre. No, it’s a standout full stop. An awesome piece of work Angie Thomas. This novel has changed me. What do I read next?
If you’re looking for novels that shine a light on something try The Woman In The Photograph by Stephanie Butland. Think you’re not a victim of sexism? Think again!
