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"The Hate U Give": Analysis of The Theme of Activism

• Categories: Black Lives Matter Racial Discrimination The Hate U Give

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Updated: 9 November, 2023

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Prompt examples for "the hate u give" essay, "the hate u give" essay example, introduction, "the hate u give": analysis of activism, racial injustice, police brutality, black lives matter, works cited, video version.

• Exploring Activism: Discuss and analyze the theme of activism in "The Hate U Give," considering how the characters engage in activism and the impact it has on their lives and the broader community.
• Social Justice and Empowerment: Examine the novel's portrayal of social justice issues and how activism empowers the characters to speak out against injustice and inequality.
• Individual vs. Collective Activism: Explore the different forms of activism, from individual acts of courage to collective movements, and analyze their significance in the novel.
• Activism and Identity: Discuss how activism is intertwined with the characters' identities, including Starr's identity as a Black teenager, and explore the complexities of activism in relation to one's sense of self.
• Impact and Legacy: Analyze the impact of activism in "The Hate U Give" on the characters, their community, and the reader, and consider the lasting legacy it leaves within the narrative.
• Thomas, A. (2017). The Hate U Give. Balzer + Bray.
• Crenshaw, K. W. (1991). Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and violence against women of color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241-1299. https://doi.org/10.2307/1229039
• Alexander, M. (2010). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. The New Press.
• Davis, A. Y. (2016). Freedom is a constant struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the foundations of a movement. Haymarket Books.
• Brown, M. (2016). Policing black bodies: How black lives are surveilled and how to work for change. African American Review, 49(1), 99-103. https://doi.org/10.1353/afa.2016.0005
• Tatum, B. D. (2017). Why are all the black kids sitting together in the cafeteria? And other conversations about race. Basic Books.
• Floyd, D. (2020). A promiscuous grace: The politics of shame in The Hate U Give. In The Truth About Denial: Bias and Self-Deception in Science, Politics, and Religion (pp. 229-250). Oxford University Press.
• Harris, F. C., & Brown, K. (2019). Through the eyes of Starr Carter: The importance of character identification and critical literacy in The Hate U Give. Journal of Language and Literacy Education, 15(2), 51-68.
• Thoman, E. B., Smith, J. L., Brown, E. R., Chase, J., & Lee, J. (2018). Beyond the ‘mean girl’: Influences of gender and social status in early adolescent girls’ experiences of peer aggression. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(4), 762-777. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-017-0785-7
• Kandasamy, P., & Takayama, K. (2020). The politics of witness: Intersectional witnessing practices and digital storytelling in the #BlackLivesMatter movement. New Media & Society, 22(6), 1051-1069. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444820921754

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The Hate U Give

65 pages • 2 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-5

Chapters 6-10

Chapters 11-15

Chapters 16-19

Chapters 20-21

Chapters 22-26

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Further Reading & Resources

Discussion Questions

Tupac’s THUG LIFE explanation is a major theme of the book. How do you see THUG LIFE playing out in the real world today, possibly even in your community?

THUG LIFE refers to the self-perpetuating cycle of hatred but does not necessarily offer a solution. How does author Angie Thomas address this? Does she offer a solution, or is the answer more complicated?

How does this book provide a voice and a perspective that is often overlooked?

Starr spends much of the book trying to decide “which Starr” to be in any given situation. Is this issue resolved at the end of the novel? Incorporate examples from the text to support your discussion.

How does social media factor into the story and affect Starr’s life? What do you think this says about the power of social media? Do you see its power in your own life?

How does Starr’s relationship with Chris change and grow throughout the novel? What do they learn about each other? What preconceptions did they each have that were challenged?

Starr tells Hailey, “You can say something racist and not be racist.” What does this mean? Analyze the scene as a more focused example of the systemic racism that pervades American society.

How does Starr’s opinion of the police change throughout the novel? What does Carlos struggle with as a police officer himself?

How is Maya’s story similar to Starr’s? How is it different? If the novel were written from her perspective , how would the narrative change?

The novel includes a great deal of discussion as to how Khalil became a drug dealer and how many of the young men in the community do the same. How might this more nuanced perspective be applied to a character like King? Although he is clearly an antagonist in the novel, how does THUG LIFE apply to him?

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The Hate U Give - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

An essay on “The Hate U Give” can provide a literary analysis of the novel by Angie Thomas. It can explore themes like racial injustice, police violence, and the impact of activism, offering insights into the book’s portrayal of social issues and the importance of speaking out against systemic oppression. A vast selection of complimentary essay illustrations pertaining to The Hate U Give you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Stereotypes in the Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

In the book, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, 16-year-old Starr Carter navigates the tumultuous events that ensue after her best friend is shot dead before her eyes by the police. Significantly, this novel revolves around seeking justice for the wrongful death of a Black individual, and standing up against racial discrimination. Thomas uses the narrative to explore stereotypes, arguing that assumptions made on race can lead to tragic events. This resonates deeply in today's society due to the […]

Starr Carter’s Struggle with Racial Injustice and Socioeconomic Status

The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas, explores the topic of race in America through the eyes of the main character, Starr Carter. Starr, a teenage black girl, lives in the poor neighborhood of Garden Heights while attending the predominantly white Williamson Prep school. Starr finds herself in the distinct situation of grappling with two divergent and diametrically opposed worlds. Deeply entrenched in both the "Black Lives Matter" and "Police Lives Matter" movements, Starr and her family endure racial discrimination […]

Social Justice Themes in the Hate U Give

Literature holds up its mirror to modern racial struggles, reflecting society's deepest wounds and hopes for healing. Angie Thomas's novel "The Hate U Give" is a poignant exploration of police brutality and racism, encapsulating the struggles faced by marginalized communities. This essay examines how Thomas uses literary devices to highlight the pervasive issue of police brutality against minorities and critiques the systemic racism deeply embedded in American society. Through the depiction of Starr Carter's experiences, the novel sheds light on […]

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Identity Formation in the Hate U Give: Finding Authenticity Amidst Adversity

In Angie Thomas's poignant narrative "The Hate U Give," the tapestry of identity formation is intricately threaded within the protagonist's odyssey through adversity. Through the lens of Starr Carter, readers embark on a voyage through the labyrinth of racial strife, socio-economic divides, and the quest for authenticity amidst societal turbulence. Starr's expedition commences amidst the intricate dance between two realms: the vibrant but troubled streets of Garden Heights, her predominantly black neighborhood, and the polished halls of Williamson Prep, a […]

Power Dynamics in the Hate U Give: Analyzing Social Hierarchies

In the intricate tapestry of Angie Thomas's "The Hate U Give," the dynamics of power reverberate through the narrative, painting a vivid picture of societal hierarchies and their profound effects on individuals and communities. Through the eyes of Starr Carter, readers are drawn into a world where race, class, and privilege intersect in complex ways, shaping relationships and dictating one's place in the social order. The pulsating heart of the story beats with the tension between Garden Heights, a predominantly […]

The Echoes of Injustice: a Synopsis of “The Hate U Give”

Angie Thomas's novel "The Hate U Give" captures the essence of contemporary struggles against systemic racism, police brutality, and the quest for justice through the poignant story of Starr Carter, a black teenager navigating life between two worlds. Her life is irrevocably changed when she witnesses the fatal police shooting of her childhood friend, Khalil, who was unarmed at the time. This traumatic event sets off a series of reactions within her community and within Starr herself, prompting her to […]

Voices and Valor: Confronting Social Issues in “The Hate U Give”

Within the literary landscape, Angie Thomas's groundbreaking tome, "The Hate U Give," presents a profound examination of themes and societal dilemmas that reverberate profoundly in contemporary milieu. Through the lens of its central figure, Starr Carter, the narrative plumbs the depths of systemic racism, law enforcement brutality, the Black Lives Matter movement, linguistic adaptation, interracial unions, and the imperative of discovering one's voice amidst oppression. Thomas weaves a tapestry that not only captivates readers but also instigates profound introspection regarding […]

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The Hate U Give Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

Essay Topic 1

Trace Starr's dynamic character arc across the novel's narrative.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the novel's message concerning the power inherent in one's voice.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the novel's motif of rap and R and B music and its connection to the novel's themes.

Essay Topic 4

Discuss the novel's message regarding the dichotomy between justice and safety.

Essay Topic 5

Analyze the novel's theme of compartmentalized identities.

Essay Topic 6

Compare and contrast the two characters of Maverick and Uncle Carlos. What qualities and viewpoints of society does each character represent?

Essay Topic 7

Analyze how Starr's experience of witnessing Khalil's death changes her view of her relationship with Chris. What is the author's purpose for including this shift in Starr's worldview?

Essay Topic 8

Why does the author craft Khalil's character as she does? How does the multifaceted quality of Khalil's character serve the purpose of her messaging?

Essay Topic 9

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Essay Samples on The Hate U Give

The danger of a single story in the hate u give.

In The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas there are many notable characters given throughout. Hailey, who is one of Starr Carter’s best friends at Williamson Prep, changes throughout the novel. Her and Starr started off as friends because they both experienced loss when they...

• The Hate U Give

THUG: The Hate U Give on Racism and Discrimination of African Americans

“For a text to truly engage its audience, it needs to offer us a different perspective of life as we know it.” The Hate U Give (T H U G) directed by George Tillman Jr is a compassionate, nuanced portrayal of a teen’s political arising....

Thug (The Hate U Give) Music References and Inspiations in the Book

“Pac said Thug Life Stood for ‘The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody” (Kahlil 17). From as early as chapter two you can see the author’s music motifs that talk about SES. This quote is later brought up in the novel where “Starr” and...

The Gordian Knot Of America In The Hate U Give By Angie Thomas 

African Americans or the Afro-Americans are a minority group who were once called Negroes and now are known as the Blacks. They are primarily descendants of the slaves brought from Africa to America, between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. The student researcher has focused upon...

The Topic Of Death In The Hate U Give

In the novel 'The hate U Give 'written by Aggie Thomas, Starr goes through a lot to find her voice. The events that helped Starr find her voice and motivated her to become an advocate for the unheard was the death of her two childhood...

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Migration In The Hate U Give

History has shown that people form groups to get a sense of safety, acceptance, and belonging. It is human nature to desire to feel accepted by groups and to ‘fit in’. To achieve this, we choose to act differently around strangers or new colleagues than...

Injustice in Modern America: Analysis of "The Hate U Give"

Like a strong wind, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas takes off the blindfold from many people’s eyes to examine the reality in America in the current times and open wounds of the past. This text is an example of the injustice most minorities...

 race Identity In Invisible Man And The Hate U Give

At this stage in our society, there is still a lot of controversy surrounding colored people. Along with the issues are different types of works by people of African descent. Invisible Man and The Hate U Give are examples of African American literary works. African...

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Review Of The Hate U Give By Angie Thomas

The young adult novel The Hate U Give (2017) by Angie Thomas focuses On Star Carter, a young black teen who commutes daily from her low income neighborhood to her predominantly white suburban preparatory high school. After a party, Star witnesses her childhood friend Khalil...

Best topics on The Hate U Give

1. The Danger of a Single Story in The Hate U Give

2. THUG: The Hate U Give on Racism and Discrimination of African Americans

3. Thug (The Hate U Give) Music References and Inspiations in the Book

4. The Gordian Knot Of America In The Hate U Give By Angie Thomas 

5. The Topic Of Death In The Hate U Give

6. Migration In The Hate U Give

7. Injustice in Modern America: Analysis of “The Hate U Give”

8.  race Identity In Invisible Man And The Hate U Give

9. Review Of The Hate U Give By Angie Thomas

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The Hate U Give

By angie thomas, the hate u give themes.

Khalil ’s shooting and the ongoing investigation of Officer Cruise put the theme of injustice at the forefront of the novel. The fact that Khalil was unarmed and did not threaten the officer makes his murder unjust. The police are unjust at other points, too, such as when they force Maverick to the ground and pat him down. Race is tied into this theme of injustice as well, since pervasive racism prevents African-Americans from obtaining justice. Starr and Maverick in particular are focused on bringing justice not only for Khalil but also for African-Americans and other oppressed groups, such as the poor. The activist group that Starr joins is called Just Us for Justice because it fights against police maltreatment on the basis of race. At the end of the novel, Starr accepts that injustice might continue but reinforces her determination to fight against it.

The theme of community is significant to the novel, as seen in the way that Garden Heights residents draw together in the face of unspeakable tragedy. At the end of the novel, when Starr and her friends and family work to rebuild Maverick’s store, they are supported by cries of encouragement from passerby. This reflects the strong sense of community felt by those who live in Garden Heights, even after their neighborhood has faced physical and emotional destruction. The importance of community is the factor that keeps Maverick tied to the Garden Heights house even though he recognizes that the area is more dangerous than the suburbs. It’s evident in the way that Ms. Rosalie’s neighbors bring her food when there is no other way they can express their deep sympathy. It’s also why Maverick is so determined to help DeVante get out of the gang system, because he knows that the gangs bring about ruptures in the unity of the community.

Race is central to the story that The Hate U Give tells. Starr’s identity is heavily informed by her race, and Khalil's death is due in part to entrenched racism in the police force. The tension that Starr feels between Garden Heights and Wiliamson Prep is due to differences in wealth and in race. Most of her classmates at school are white, but most of her neighbors are black; Starr feels torn between making sure she’s not seen as “too black” at school and making sure she's not “too white” at home. The novel is also undeniably a celebration of blackness. The stereotypes and racism to which African-Americans are subjected is revealed to be extremely pervasive and harmful, even bringing about the death of innocent young men. By dealing directly with the issues of police brutality and protest, the book enters the broader conversation about race relations in America.

One of the central issues that Starr faces is a struggle with belonging. From the very beginning of the novel, Starr recognizes that her personality is two-sided. When she’s at Williamson, Starr worries that her classmates will think she’s “too ghetto.” She recognizes that being one of the few black students at the school makes her automatically “cool,” but at the same time she censors her own behavior to fit in. Back at home, however—as evidenced by how she feels at Big D’s party—people say that Starr thinks she’s “all that” and doesn’t hang out with them enough, because she attends Williamson. Because of this struggle, Starr is never truly able to be herself in any situation. As the novel progresses, however, Starr learns to embrace both sides of herself, and she brings both sides of her personality together along with friends from both of the spheres of her life.

Many people tell Starr that she is brave for speaking up about Khalil, especially when she gives a nationally televised interview. Starr, however, does not share this view. She protests that she isn’t brave, that she has been “misdiagnosed” by the people around her who commend her courageousness. It takes Lisa’s perspective to point out that bravery is not the same thing as not being afraid. In fact, the very nature of bravery is to act in the face of fear, to refuse to back down even when the task is frightening. By the end of the novel, Starr undeniably demonstrates bravery when she stands on the top of the patrol car to give a speech, lead a chant, and ultimately throw a can of tear gas back at the police. Starr’s future in activism will likely be fueled by her continued bravery, which is inspired by the connection she feels with her loved ones both living and dead.

Just as community is an important part of The Hate U Give , family is central to the novel as well. The book offers a perspective on nontraditional families and the way these families provide support systems. For example, Starr’s family is atypical because Seven doesn’t live with the family; he has a different mother than Starr and Sekani . Nevertheless, Maverick and Lisa are able to support Seven in many different ways: they go to his graduation, convince him to go to college outside of the city, talk to him about the importance of not joining a gang, and watch out for him when he goes to the park the day after riots. However, the book explores dysfunctional families as well. King abuses Iesha and his children, and DeVante essentially sacrifices himself in order to remove King from the household, because Iesha is unable or unwilling to stand up to him.

Speaking Up

Starr struggles with speaking up for Khalil for a variety of reasons. She worries that she doesn’t deserve to defend Khalil since they had grown far apart in the time before Big D’s party. She is also afraid to speak up, and in the midst of trauma and grief, it’s difficult for her to take on such an emotionally taxing project as standing up for Khalil in the face of national attention. Kenya inspires Starr to speak up because of her resounding logic: Khalil would have fought for Starr, had she been the one to get shot that night. Maverick also explains that Tupac would have wanted Starr to use her voice, because she can help fight against the oppressive systems that keep minorities from getting ahead. By the end of the book, it’s clear that Starr has conquered her fears and recognized the importance of speaking up.

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