The novel The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is a fictional tale that provides social commentary on police brutality against the black community and the everlasting impact this has on society. The impactful novel follows the life of Starr, a young black girl who is living in two vastly different worlds. On one end she attends a predominantly white private school, however she grew up and continues to live in a black neighborhood full of crime. Starr appears to be doing a great job at keeping her worlds separate, but one unfortunate night Starr’s world comes crashing down as she loses her childhood best friend at the hands of a police officer while she is in the passenger seat.
Starr internally struggles with keeping her worlds separate as she has done her whole life. She radically changes who she is as a person from what she says to how she dresses when attending her private school to not be perceived as “ghetto” but she soon realizes that by shunning her identity she is doing a disservice to Khalil. After initially being scared and unsure of testifying against the officer, she develops the strength and courage to speak up on injustice and racism without concern for how others view her.
This novel does presents the theoretical ideas of the subaltern and the master and slave concept. The theoretical idea of the subaltern is presented when the black community in the novel seek justice for Khalil. Their voices are ignored and instead actions are taken to silence them such as deploying police force to block the streets and the use of tear gas. Angie Thomas describes the scenes as reminiscent of a war zone and that is the extent those in power will go to not hear the cries for justice of the black community. In a symbolic scene Starr takes the lead among protesters and begins to shout that peace will not be restored until justice is met, but her passionate speech is met with dismissal and resistance showing the lack of care for anything the subaltern has to say. The idea of the master and slave concept is showcased earlier in the novel by Starr. Starr recognizes that white people are those in power (the master) and she changes her persona to appeal to them thus accepting her role as the inferior person in the relationship (the slave).
Angie Thomas writes this novel to spark the much needed conversations on police brutality and systemic injustice. Her novel addresses the massive issue in this country that has not been addressed for years. For years the black community has been targeted left to grief for their loved ones whose lives are taken at the hands of those who swear to serve and protect and no action has been taken. This novel inspires us to take a stand and to let our voices be heard as we can all be the star that shines their light on this cruel, dark, and unjust world.