The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas shows us that we shouldn’t be afraid to speak out and not let someone stop us from speaking out. This book is about a girl named Starr who runs between two of herself. The Williamson Starr and the Garden Heights Starr. Starr goes through the death of her childhood friend, Khalil. As people in Starr’s community were convinced Khalil was a drug dealer and a member of a criminal gang. Starr had to speak out, Starr was the only witness of Khalil’s death, She thinks that she's the cause of Khalil's death and blames herself for it. Starr wants justice for Khalil. Starr wanted to tell the world the truth about what she witnessed the day Khalil got shot, but people stopped her from speaking out in many ways. Starr was afraid to speak out, but for what she wanted she spoke.
Throughout the book, The character of Hate U gives a change from a teenager who is unsure how to speak of Khalil’s death and afraid to stand out to a person who speaks out to protect and her family. In the beginning, Starr said things like “I hope somebody talked with Khalil.” By the end of the book, Starr speaks up and defends Khalil, Starr said “ Khalil would defend me. I should defend him, So I gear up to throw a punch.” Starr is afraid but still gears up a punch for Khalil. Starr wants and fights justice for Khalil. Starr doesn’t want to hear rumors about Khalil that never happened. Starr knows that saying I hope wouldn't change the fact that people in her community think Khalil's a drug dealer and a gangbanger. This change makes me think the writer is trying to show that we should speak up and not have rumors make us down.
As I read this book, I felt I wanted to read further and more. I even felt connected with the main character. As the conflict progressed and the people in Starr’s community are pasting rumors about Khaili being a drug dealer and a gangbanger. I learned that what people think won’t change the world until someone speaks up about it. I recommend anyone who is a teenager and adult should read this book so that they could become better informed on topics about racism and justice.
In my opinion, this is a good book. Readers will feel connected with the main character and other characters in the book. Before I read this book, I had some knowledge about the topics of Racism and Justice. I knew little about this book from its form of title Hate U Give. However, this book showed me a unique perspective on the characters. It forms the point of view of losing their childhood friend. There are people in the world who go through similar experiences as Starr. And who also feels that it's their fault for someone's death. Reading this book encourages readers to speak up for what they want.