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A review by ralovesbooks
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
5.0
You must read this book.
Oh, man. This book blew me away. It's SO well done, from the cast of characters to the action that drives the plot. This book hits really hard. It punches you in the stomach and makes you look at hard realities in the face. It's fiction, but it tells truth about race, violence, poverty, helplessness, and hate. Read it, take it in, and become an ally. I'm pretty sure it will be a book that sticks with me as I continue to process it. (Fair warning for profanity)
If you've already read it, I suggest checking out the classic [b:The Fire Next Time|464260|The Fire Next Time|James Baldwin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1488825618s/464260.jpg|1129041] and the recent collection, [b:The Fire Next Time|464260|The Fire Next Time|James Baldwin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1488825618s/464260.jpg|1129041].
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Funny how it works with white kids though. It's dope to be black until it's hard to be black. (Chapter 1, page 11)
The truth casts a shadow over the kitchen --- people like us in situations like this become hashtags, but they rarely get justice. I think we all wait for that one time though, that one time when it ends right. (Chapter 4, page 59)
For at least seven hours I don't have to talk about One-Fifteen [the police officer]. I don't have to think about Khalil. I just have to be normal Starr at normal Williamson and have a normal day.
That means flipping the switch in my brain so I'm Williamson Starr. Williamson Starr doesn't use slang --- if a rapper would say it, she doesn't say it, even if her white friends do. Slang makes them cool. Slank makes her "hood." Williamson Starr holds her tongue when people piss her off so nobody will think she's the "angry black girl." Williamson Starr is approachable. No stank-eyes,
side-eyes, none of that. Williamson Starr is nonconfrontational. Basically, Williamson Starr doesn't give anyone a reason to call her ghetto. I can't stand myself for doing it, but I do it anyway. (Chapter 5, page 71)
All of this is my fault. The riots, the gunshots, tear gas, all of it, are ultimately my fault. I forgot to tell the cops that Khalil got out with his hands up. I didn't mention that the officer pointed his gun at me. I didn't say something right, and now that cop's not getting arrested. (Chapter 9, page 140)
"Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right." (Chapter 9, page 154)
"I know you're fed up, baby" --- [Daddy] nudges my chin --- "but keep your head up." (Chapter 10, page 167)
Chapter 10, pages 168-171: basically the thesis of this book
* Everybody at the bottom of society gets the short end of the stick, but people fear them the most
* "The hate you give infants" includes racism, poverty, lack of education/privilege/power/opportunity
* Anger rises because police brutality is not the exception
[Starr:] "That's why people are speaking out, huh? Because it won't change if we don't say something?"
[Daddy:] "Exactly. We can't be silent."
[Starr:] "So I can't be silent." (Chapter 10, page 171)
I wish people like them would stop thinking that people like me need saving. (Chapter 14, page 246)
"... I knew that boy. Watched him grow up with you. He was more than any bad decision he made." (Daddy, Chapter 15, page 256)
Being two different people is so exhausting. I've taught myself to speak with two different voices and only say certain things around certain people. I've mastered it. As much as I say I don't have to choose which Starr I am with Chris, maybe without realizing it, I have to an extent. Part of me feels like I can't exist around people like him. (Chapter 17, page 301)
Chris presses his forehead against mine. "I'm sorry."
"You didn't do anything."
"But I feel like I should apologize on behalf of white people everywhere."
"You don't have to."
"But I want to." (Chapter 22, page 375)
Yet I think it'll change one day. How? I don't know. When? I definitely don't know. Why? Because there will always be someone ready to fight. Maybe it's my turn. (Chapter 26, page 443)
Oh, man. This book blew me away. It's SO well done, from the cast of characters to the action that drives the plot. This book hits really hard. It punches you in the stomach and makes you look at hard realities in the face. It's fiction, but it tells truth about race, violence, poverty, helplessness, and hate. Read it, take it in, and become an ally. I'm pretty sure it will be a book that sticks with me as I continue to process it. (Fair warning for profanity)
If you've already read it, I suggest checking out the classic [b:The Fire Next Time|464260|The Fire Next Time|James Baldwin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1488825618s/464260.jpg|1129041] and the recent collection, [b:The Fire Next Time|464260|The Fire Next Time|James Baldwin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1488825618s/464260.jpg|1129041].
---
Funny how it works with white kids though. It's dope to be black until it's hard to be black. (Chapter 1, page 11)
The truth casts a shadow over the kitchen --- people like us in situations like this become hashtags, but they rarely get justice. I think we all wait for that one time though, that one time when it ends right. (Chapter 4, page 59)
For at least seven hours I don't have to talk about One-Fifteen [the police officer]. I don't have to think about Khalil. I just have to be normal Starr at normal Williamson and have a normal day.
That means flipping the switch in my brain so I'm Williamson Starr. Williamson Starr doesn't use slang --- if a rapper would say it, she doesn't say it, even if her white friends do. Slang makes them cool. Slank makes her "hood." Williamson Starr holds her tongue when people piss her off so nobody will think she's the "angry black girl." Williamson Starr is approachable. No stank-eyes,
side-eyes, none of that. Williamson Starr is nonconfrontational. Basically, Williamson Starr doesn't give anyone a reason to call her ghetto. I can't stand myself for doing it, but I do it anyway. (Chapter 5, page 71)
All of this is my fault. The riots, the gunshots, tear gas, all of it, are ultimately my fault. I forgot to tell the cops that Khalil got out with his hands up. I didn't mention that the officer pointed his gun at me. I didn't say something right, and now that cop's not getting arrested. (Chapter 9, page 140)
"Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right." (Chapter 9, page 154)
"I know you're fed up, baby" --- [Daddy] nudges my chin --- "but keep your head up." (Chapter 10, page 167)
Chapter 10, pages 168-171: basically the thesis of this book
* Everybody at the bottom of society gets the short end of the stick, but people fear them the most
* "The hate you give infants" includes racism, poverty, lack of education/privilege/power/opportunity
* Anger rises because police brutality is not the exception
[Starr:] "That's why people are speaking out, huh? Because it won't change if we don't say something?"
[Daddy:] "Exactly. We can't be silent."
[Starr:] "So I can't be silent." (Chapter 10, page 171)
I wish people like them would stop thinking that people like me need saving. (Chapter 14, page 246)
"... I knew that boy. Watched him grow up with you. He was more than any bad decision he made." (Daddy, Chapter 15, page 256)
Being two different people is so exhausting. I've taught myself to speak with two different voices and only say certain things around certain people. I've mastered it. As much as I say I don't have to choose which Starr I am with Chris, maybe without realizing it, I have to an extent. Part of me feels like I can't exist around people like him. (Chapter 17, page 301)
Chris presses his forehead against mine. "I'm sorry."
"You didn't do anything."
"But I feel like I should apologize on behalf of white people everywhere."
"You don't have to."
"But I want to." (Chapter 22, page 375)
Yet I think it'll change one day. How? I don't know. When? I definitely don't know. Why? Because there will always be someone ready to fight. Maybe it's my turn. (Chapter 26, page 443)