The Hate U Give discussion

Thats exacty what the reviews and synopsis make this book out to be in my mind.
Its as if they completely ignore the fact that BLM isnt exactly what it started out to be anymore. They've done a lot of absolutely garbage shit, and its just being swept under the rug. I cant support a book like this and never plan to. Most of the people reviewing it seem blind to the actual issues in this country.

I dont dig obvious money making, race baiting schemes.

In regard to the claim this book is reverse racist: it's true that the events you describe happen in the book. However, context is key. For instance, Star does elaborate on the 'because he's white' incident at length; Kaleel's death reminded her of their cultural differences, and Star soon apologizes after recognizing that associating Chris with the officer based on skin color is wrong. I'm sorry you missed that important point.

You have to take into account the tone and context. It's clear throughout the text that behavior like that isn't acceptable, based on Star's character growth, many instances of explicitly explained hypocrisy from every side, and attempts by white and black individuals alike to co-opt the tragedy to their own ends.

The novel centers around that whole idea that "this would be so awful if someone else did it, but I can justify why I'm doing it." That the 'other' is a monster.

Race swapping this text is a senseless exercise, as it's been done many, many times before. There's even a reference in the text to the race-swapped remake of Look Who's Coming to Dinner to preempt that inevitable comment. This is about giving a voice to a an underrepresented perspective on very divisive issue.

Some points are ridiculous, you're right. Like DeVante's whole story-line dropping off like nothing. But overall it's basically designed to be an access point for teacher' to have discussions in high school classrooms. If anything, the worst part is that everyone in this book is way too smart, open-minded, and willing to change their opinions when presented with new information. In reality, people of all kinds will go to extremes to twist reality to reaffirms their preconceived beliefs.

I don't think this book was bad, but I don't really like the ending. The book overall was ok.

Mike wrote: "Thats exacty what the reviews and synopsis make this book out to be in my mind.
Its as if they completely ignore the fact that BLM isnt exactly what it started out to be anymore. They've done a lo..."

Old comment but - I would consider police brutality and systematic racism to be "actual issues". The book isn't commenting on individual black persons actions, but the racist and divided culture within America which often presents itself in the police force and the media.

It's not a money-grab, nor any sort of scheme if the author is an American black woman trying to open up the way for conversation on a problem she has witnessed in her country her whole life -one that affects her, her family, her friends. It's not a page-by-page account of every BLM supporters lives and actions, don't treat it as such.
Ignoring a huge racial problem that exists within SOCIETY is more important than protesting against progress because of a few individuals' actions.

For those of you who did not like the ending, I just want to point out that it was pretty realistic. In our world today, a lot of people who have privilege do not get the charges they deserve just like Trayvon Martin's killer who was not indicted for killing the black boy just walking on the street and was unarmed.

I liked the book, but saw the racism towards white. The best friend (hailey) was considered a racist, Chris is associated with his color of skin. Literally all white people are seen horribly.

yes it felt very against whites...
i mean surely racism is BAD on all levels!!!!
her dad didnt even want her dating a 'white' guy ...
not all whites come from privileged lives ...
also didnt like the fact they they say about drug dealers .. some do it out of desperation .. i get that.. but some do it just to make quick money and get their bling .. cars .. guns.. etc .. !! they shouldnt be glamorised

Vannie wrote: "I liked the book, but saw the racism towards white. The best friend (hailey) was considered a racist, Chris is associated with his color of skin. Literally all white people are seen horribly."

i agree...

Mike wrote: "Thats exacty what the reviews and synopsis make this book out to be in my mind.
Its as if they completely ignore the fact that BLM isnt exactly what it started out to be anymore. They've done a lo..."

I thought it was poorly written. I don't know anyone with a good education who talks like the people in this book talk. And I think it's too heavy a subject, too important, to get this kind of treatment.

So those pointing out racism against whites....so you didn't like the book because it expressed racism against whites? Is that why you give the book a bad rating?

1) There is racism in all types of backgrounds against other types of backgrounds. Just because it's ugly and we don't want to see, read, feel it-doesn't mean it doesn't exists.
2) For those of us who are white, and you didn't like the racism against whites....I think that should be an eye opening experience for you then. I can only imagine what my black friends, Muslim friends, Middle-Eastern friends, mix marriage friends deal with on a day to day basis.

My sister's boyfriend (whom is black) describes being targeted by cops, being looked at, judged, questioned--all based on his skin color. He's nice, respectful, respectable...but since he's like 5'10" and dark black....

Racism exists and just because you don't want to see, hear, read about it-doesn't mean it won't exists.

Just my $0.02

I feel like if anyone thinks this book is racist towards white people, you missed the point of the entire story.

Honestly, yes, I did feel a jab at white people. I understand that putting black peoples views towards whites was making the book realistic, and that it could be a symptom of PTSD from watching a white cop killing her black friend (which I thought was totally wrong and the cop should have received some prison time), but the story didn't just focus on that. Instead, there were racists remarks against whites scattered throughout the book.

I'm just saying that if a white person wrote this story, the exact same way, word for word, black people across the nation would be in an uproar from the stereotypical portrayal of the black community and the author would have be fingered as racist.

For everyone's information, I did agree with and liked the message the book was trying to send. BLM, and there should have been justice for Khalil. And as I said above, Starr may have been showing signs of PTSD; however, Angie Thomas doesn't suggest to that possibility, and I just felt she was sneaking in her own personal views about white people through Starr. Such as how white kid parties have certain drugs involved, how the white kids thing she's so amazing because she one of the only black kids in her class, how she treated her boyfriend because he was white.

Racism is WRONG regardless of the race throwing it around, or the race being targeted. Racism needs to stop, and this book seemed to support it to a small extent.

Brock wrote: "I feel like if anyone thinks this book is racist towards white people, you missed the point of the entire story."

Agreed. People are legit angry that the experiences of Starr are NOT fictional. They are reflective of the experiences of Black students who navigate White spaces. Spaces that have historically, and sometimes currently, aren't inclusive. If reading a book from the perspective from a Black character who is observing how White people act around her makes you uncomfortable, time for some introspection.

Giovanna wrote: "Brock wrote: "I feel like if anyone thinks this book is racist towards white people, you missed the point of the entire story."

Agreed. People are legit angry that the experiences of Starr are NOT..."

TRUE. Also, I see comments discussing how Starr's only white friend was racist and they had a problem with Chris being white, and I'm just like... y'all are NOT looking at this from a black person's perspective.

It's not that Chris being white is BAD, but struggles the black community have while facing a predominantly white society as a whole are not simple and easy to get through. So it's more than just shock when someone finds out their black daughter is dating a white boy -- there is a stereotype for cis gendered, heterosexual, white men for a reason. There's nothing wrong with being that exact label at all, but lots of people from lots of communities FEAR a person that fits that description because they tend to hold the most power, and take advantage of it.

THAT is why Starr's dad was angry. Because he was legitimately scared for his daughter.

Also, Hailey was clearly racist. Like, the "I'm-racist-because-I-don't-know-any-better-but-I-should-definitely-know-better" kind of racist. People actually act like that. This book was not targeting white people, it was just portraying how a LOT of white people act around a black person -- or, really, any minority. They make jokes that aren't really okay or funny, and because white people hold a lot of power in this country, minorities tend not to speak up for themselves.

But remember how everyone ended up accepting Chris? How Chris even went to the protests, and nobody cared while he was there? How, when Starr's school was protesting policy brutality and she sat out because it was really just an excuse to get out of class, multiple people came up to her and tried to explain why they weren't protesting, as if they owed it to her as one of the few black students at that school (they support the cause, but not the excuse)? ...That alone is enough evidence that this isn't hateful towards white people at ALL.

This entire book is a portrayal of black community, police brutality, and a young girl learning how to speak up for herself AND her loved ones in a society that tells her her voice is invalid. That her opinions don't matter. That what she's witnessed wasn't real, and what happened to her and her childhood friend wasn't important enough to earn justice.

This book is not racist. It's a message, and it's going straight over everyone's head.

Brock wrote: "I feel like if anyone thinks this book is racist towards white people, you missed the point of the entire story."

Agreed. Thank you.

Brock wrote: "Giovanna wrote: "Brock wrote: "I feel like if anyone thinks this book is racist towards white people, you missed the point of the entire story."

Agreed. People are legit angry that the experiences..."
I thought it was insight into the thought process of black people. It's hard to imagine why any group clings to the past as the reason they react as they do to the present. Aren't many of us limited in understanding why "other" people think as they do? We need to be able to talk about these feelings without taking them as personal indictments of either side of the conversation. One hears so often these days that "you just don't understand", well, let's start trying to understand by explaining without condemning.

My boyfriend's mom is an 8th grade EngIish teacher. She has me read books for her and tell her if I'd think it would be acceptable or important to a younger audience. What I told her, is that I think that the hype around this book was the reason so many people were ultimately disappointed. Going into this book, I did not expect to be blown away by it, despite all the five star ratings across the board. To me it was a news broadcast (that I've become utterly desensitized to) in the form of a novel.

Do I think the book was "bad"? No. Do I think a younger audience in this day and age would benefit from it? Maybe. However, I was not emotionally attached, which could have been for a ton of reasons, but I think I did earn a spot in the unpopular opinion club.

The book isn't in any way bad. Lets be honest, if you were a teen (lets not even say black), just a teen, would your life be perfect? Would you make all the right decisions? No, you would screw up sometimes, and that's NOT when you're the sole witness to a murder trial.
The book brings up a lot of issues that are up and around. The time has come where a lot of other cultures are on the rise and white people have been getting ridiculed. But so what? You can't take offence to that. If you're proud of what you are, you won't get insulted. Being Indian, I've faced a lot of stereotypical comments. So have the Chinese, the Mexican and the African American.
And the language used s nothing but the ACTUAL language that they use.
So no, this book was amazing. It isn't racist towards white people. It is just a story from another girl's point of view, with her opinions and background. And it's told amazingly.

Aditi wrote: ""To me it was a news broadcast (that I've become utterly desensitized to) in the form of a novel. ."

>

This is exactly how I felt about it. Sadly desensitized. Nothing in this book was new to me. I didn't find any of it profound. Not to me. However, for someone of a different culture or someone not following these types of news stories, would benefit greatly from the insight this book has to offer. I wasn't impressed, but would easily recommend this to anyone sincerely interested in this point of view.

Elisa wrote: "Brock wrote: "I feel like if anyone thinks this book is racist towards white people, you missed the point of the entire story."

Agreed. Thank you."


Me too... Seriously...

Brock wrote: "I feel like if anyone thinks this book is racist towards white people, you missed the point of the entire story."

I totally agree. The book is definitely not racist toward white people. Yes, there are characters that have a mistrust toward certain types of white people just as well as there were white characters that had mistrust toward certain black people. Goes both ways. Yet, isn't that the world we live in the US? That was one of the few parts of the book that was actually realistic.

Tanangi wrote: "For everyone's information, I did agree with and liked the message the book was trying to send. BLM, and there should have been justice for Khalil. And as I said above, Starr may have been showing ..."

You don't know whether or not Angie was secretly putting in her own ideas in the book through Starr. You can't say things like that unless you have facts to back it up. Writers write from the perspective of different people all the time - they are similar to actors in that way.

Brock wrote: "Giovanna wrote: "Brock wrote: "I feel like if anyone thinks this book is racist towards white people, you missed the point of the entire story."

Agreed. People are legit angry that the experiences..."

Brock wrote: "Giovanna wrote: "Brock wrote: "I feel like if anyone thinks this book is racist towards white people, you missed the point of the entire story."

Agreed. People are legit angry that the experiences..."

I agree with your entire post. I wish everyone could read it.

I feel like people push the last few moments with Chris under the rug.

"He's Black. He's Black." because he answered a few HEAVILY HEAVILY racist questions. But it's ok, because we asked them. so it's not racist.

I do not believe this book is "bad". This book still points out things that may not directly associate with Black Lives Matter. It discusses how black people are scared to speak up due to peer pressure and that we do not want to be labeled as a snitch. In addition, it does talk about racism that is not going anywhere because it is just getting worse.

Paula wrote: "So those pointing out racism against whites....so you didn't like the book because it expressed racism against whites? Is that why you give the book a bad rating?

1) There is racism in all types o..."
So true, the book is meant to make people aware of what is currently hapening in the society, its not meant to shade any particular race

Brock wrote: "Giovanna wrote: "Brock wrote: "I feel like if anyone thinks this book is racist towards white people, you missed the point of the entire story."

Agreed. People are legit angry that the experiences..."

u said everything I had in mind, if u guys don't like the book, then you're not accepting the reality.

There are only two white characters who are developed in the book: her friend, who can't listen and learn ("you can say racist things and not be racist"), and her boyfriend, who makes the effort to listen and get past the hurt and understand. One "bad," one "good."

Vannie writes: Literally all white people are seen horribly.

Oh really?

I'm sorry, were some people upset that there might have been some tokenism going on? I'm sure that never happens the other way.

No, I am sure you're not. I didn't think the book was earth shattering. I have noted to folks who were looking to read the book, that it is not anything new. I think the book was designed as a conversation starter for folks - primarily white - who don't understand this happening on a regular basis. I didn't think the story was bad, but I also did think it was basic for myself who has lived in places where the premise of the book is the normal day to day.

The book was very clichè and It wasn't a specific one. It was like other normal books . It doesn't worth reading twice though.

The writer was busy in saying "black , white " she could do so many things to make the book good enough at least.

I thought the book was excellent but it did have it's problems. One thing that annoyed me a lot was the author's attempt to include millennial/gen-z references in every day life, like slang and the use of social media websites. It felt not very genuine and just weird sometimes, and I felt it distracted from the story sometimes. Also a lot of the racist characters seemed kind of cliche, I knew from the start of the book that Hailey was going to be a racist. I would've liked to see more representation of microaggressions, but that's just me.

I feel like people who have a problem with the book, didn't understand what the message was. The message was just to be an eye-opener to what really happens in society. this concept isn't a one time thing, it is something that happens on a daily basis. Wither you enjoyed it or not (your opinion, which you are entitled to) the point is to get across what happens so often in so many country (mainly in the US, no offence but it's true) This is a sensitive topic and many people do not want to talk about it but the author took and chance, and personally she captured what she was trying to say, very well. We all have our own thoughts and opinions but there is a specific message that is trying to be brought to light, and the author does that exceptionally

My friend brought this topic up the other day. She recently finished the book and we were going to go to the movies to watch it. There are a lot of other books written on this topic. I think this book just got more recognition. Maybe for some people, not me, this was relatable and meant something. But for me, it wasn't the best book on the planet. I've read so many other books that really moved me. This book just focuses on a really broad topic that could mean anything. It was well written, it just lacked something unique. We hear about all this stuff on, well, a daily basis. So I don' t think this really is the book of the century or anything like that. I think really the book is overrated. Though I did give it a good review, I left it because it was well written. But for an original topic, not so much. And it seems to some authors it's a good idea to write about what the world is right now. I get that, but make your book it's own.

Mike wrote: "Thats exacty what the reviews and synopsis make this book out to be in my mind.
Its as if they completely ignore the fact that BLM isnt exactly what it started out to be anymore. They've done a lo..."

I just wanted to say that I found this book to me so truly incredible. To say that the people reviewing this book are blind to the actual issues going on in our country is quite false. "The Hate U Give" hit close to home for me and so many others because I live in Missouri. I saw everything that so many others saw through a tv screen in real life. I saw the cops leaving the hotel on the way to the court house on the day of the verdict. I remember questioning my own safety. But mostly I remember how I saw it. And how they portrayed it on tv was far from what actually occurred. I live right outside of Ferguson and my aunt actually lives in ferguson. She refuses to leave because it is her home. Now in no way am i trying to attack you by writing this message but I just wanted to get my thoughts out there. You are so right when you say this book is so much more than BLM. It's all about coming together and fighting for a cause that isn't always BLM. This just happened to be the cause in the book. It is also about THUG LIFE. The hate you give little infants f**ks everybody. This means that what society gives us as youth, will come back to bite them in the butt later when everyone unites and stands against. When an unarmed black person loses their life, the hate they are given screws us all. and this can come any many forms for example anger (protesting). But it is not limited to the shooting of an unarmed black person, it can mean so much more. Ok sorry for ranting just wanted to get that out there.

yes

you go girl

Brooke wrote: "Avery wrote: "Mike wrote: "Thats exacty what the reviews and synopsis make this book out to be in my mind.
Its as if they completely ignore the fact that BLM isnt exactly what it started out to be..."
Thank you!

I genuinely enjoyed the book because of how realistic it is. I do not agree that this was targeting white people. Instead, I believe that this book was attempting to bring to light actual issues that are being swept under the rug in communities that have a predominant minority population. Growing up in an area similar to hers, we do see a lot of the things described in the book.

Mike wrote: "That's exactly what the reviews and synopsis make this book out to be in my mind.
Its as if they completely ignore the fact that BLM isn't exactly what it started out to be anymore. They've done a lot..."
This is not meant to be a money making scheme, rather than something to wake people up about the world we live in. If you think that, and you are oblivious to police brutality than maybe you should read the book again.

I believe it is less likely to have sympathy if you lack empathy.

Okay, I am writing a paper on this book and how it shows the true struggle in America. I am white and im Highschool. But when I read this book I found it extreamly compelling, the world is currupt, even today. Yes, the book did slightly target white people, but society targets black people. Thomas didn’t only make white people out to be bad, the police officer that searched Maverick after he got into an argument with Mr.Lewis was black. There is racism in the book, thats why she wrote the book in the first place, to give power to the people. But I still think that there was very little targeting of white people. If we as a country, first see the world in black and white, how the hell are we supposed to grow. Thomas was trying to show that color is only one aspect in life, and stereotypes are simply irrational. If there is an issue with this book it is that it exposes Americas dark side. It gives light to the brutality that the minority groups feel, is that such a bad thing? I’m 14 years old. I don’t have a direct tie to the issues in America, but that doesn’t mean im blind to them. Maybe a revolution is whats neccissary. I simply hope that people realize that if white people are being targeted and we are freaking out this much, that we realize that other minority groups have been feeling this way for centuries. Why should we get to revolt at the first sign of danger when others have gone genrations without doing so themselves? Think about it. Thats all they could do.

Mike wrote: "Thats exacty what the reviews and synopsis make this book out to be in my mind.
Its as if they completely ignore the fact that BLM isnt exactly what it started out to be anymore. They've done a lo..."

This book isn't a fantasy made up to support the BLM movement. It is a fictitious book based on something that has happened hundreds of times to innocent black teens. I know it's easy to pretend these things don't actually happen when they don't affect you.

Hi Ali,
In my opinion, you made some very good points and at your age, that gives me great hope for future generations. In an attempt to contribute to what I hope will help you in your assignment?
What I believe is lacking on this topic is an interest by some people to objectively listen to those in the minority position. They reason they refuse to listen: FEAR.
Most people want to believe they are right or have the answers for other groups/cultures. Only it really is impossible. I liken it to a man trying to relate to pregnancy. He can listen, attempt to learn, and/or even react as best as he can when trying to meet a pregnant person's needs, but he can never/will never have the experience of pregnancy. He MUST rely on that pregnant female as they are the ones experiencing being pregnant.
THE SAME PRINCIPLE IS TRUE FOR RACE
There is a need for trust and acknowledgement of the clues of (others) truths. That is, only the person living it can speak to what happens physically, mentally, physiologically, emotionally, etc. If you approach the topic of race without objectivity, then you are more likely to come away with little if any understanding of who others of a different race, are or what they are telling you. Instead you will likely only perpetuate the status quo of who YOU want to believe they are and how YOU want to feel about that.
What helped me appreciate the book was asking myself no matter the color, was each situation a fair one. They were not. When I add how often there are reports of such unbalanced responses that happens to be based on skin tones in the real world, it is easier (for me at least) to see why people of color (along with those who have objectivity) praise this book. It also helps me understand why those who do not think as I do, hate this book or topics of this nature.
But let's take a look at how things are set up in our world in general.
A group of people decided what should and should not be acceptable for ALL people and deemed it 'the rules for society'. Now I have not studied this, but I suspect that that collaboration was not set by a mixed raced group, but a dominating race that saw itself as righteous/superior. The problem with this is that it is based on those who made those decisions forcing their decisions on everyone else. So if all people do not speak, work, learn, play etc,. by what 'society' has declared acceptable, then those who live by society's standards review others wrong because they do not conform. Rather than questioning the established norms, nonconformity equals being defined as rebellious/ a threat. Fear of being wrong or having things change plays a vital role.
Until/Unless we get to a point where we stop trying to mold others into who we want them to be and ACCEPT them how they are, we will continue to judge one another by a standard a group of people created to fit their ideals and now insist that all others live by or be looked upon poorly.
I cannot think of a reason to hate people who disagree with you simply because they disagree with you. The only reason for the disdained is FEAR..
It's all about control. Those who made the rules will not relinquish them without a fight and that includes ripping apart anyone who dares rebel against societal expectations. The philosophy seems to be that we all follow leaders or live the consequences of not falling in step.
In my opinion, people of color and other cultures are growing in population and their dislike for those societal norms and THIS is what causes some to react negatively. It's core is FEAR.

I wasn't exactly a fan of the book either. It seems to be a cliche to social justice books in general. I often find that all social justice books follow the same path for the character: 1. something unjust happens to the main character, 2. the character grieves about it for some time, 3. the character becomes angry with the world, and lastly 4. they get so angry about it that they want to change the world. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with that. I'm saying that this same predictable plot is so common that it makes almost every socia justice book predictable. And the thing is, while these types of books provide representation to some people, it doesn't to others. For example, not everyone is in the position to be able to change the world or speak up about the wrong they were put under because it might lead to putting themselves and their family in terrible danger. You could argue that Starr herself didn't find it easy to speak up about Khaleel, but there are certainly other people in worse situations than her. Angie Thomas's book is great but it's like so many others out there. We need more books about social justice characters who deal with this trauma in their way, not some structured path that they have to follow. A person isn't selfish for not wanting to change the world based on the injustice in it. They're human. Not everybody is destined to be an activist.

Tania wrote: "I wasn't exactly a fan of the book either. It seems to be a cliche to social justice books in general. I often find that all social justice books follow the same path for the character: 1. somethin..."

I hear you on social justice books and how predictable the main plot is for most of them. These books usually do follow the same storyline but there is a reason why they do. And that is because it reflects the hardships and adversities the oppressed have to go through. And it is important to recognize and be aware of these experiences. Moreover, this plot will deeply connect with those who have gone through these challenges themselves. So the book is a way to adress and represent. On top of that, there are various social problems and not all characters have the same method to adress the problem as well as what they are ultimately wanting to acheive.

I also understand that there are people who aren't destined to be activists are not portrayed in the majority of social justice books. And you're right. Not everyone wants to speak out and it's what makes us who we are. I agree that more books on different perspectives But it doesn't make books such as "The Hate U Give" cliche because the journey Starr takes to speak out is vastly different from other books. Just because the main characters take action to change the world doesn't make the book 'predictable'. The character development and emotional depth is what makes "The Hate U Give" unique and impactful.

Zak wrote: "Tania wrote: "I wasn't exactly a fan of the book either. It seems to be a cliche to social justice books in general. I often find that all social justice books follow the same path for the characte..."

I just want to state Zak, that I am completely on board with your opinion. I have wrote multiple reviews and read lots of social justice books yet I think this is the best review I've seen in all my years.

I honestly really liked the book. I liked the ending too because it was realistic. I would've thought it would be so unrealistic if suddenly the police (the one who killed Khalil) got charged after the protest. Like, that's not how it works.