Starr also loves The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Students will appreciate discovering connections between these two works, comparing character traits, and juxtaposing fantasy and reality. HarryвЂ™s journey to save the wizarding world mirrors StarrвЂ™s mission to fight for justice in her community however, Harry is commended for defying the rules in the face of justice, while Starr is condemned, illustrating a racial double standard.

Starr loves Harry Potter, and her life experiences and relationships compare with HarryвЂ™s in interesting ways. There are a lot of engaging activities you can employ for The Hate U Give based on its pop culture references alone. Students can track this motifвЂ™s appearance and analyze what each instance might convey about childhood and parenthood: How does a childвЂ™s environment affect upbringing? How can parents effectively raise their kids in an unfavorable environment? In addition, horticulture is a prominent motif in the novel Starr lives in Garden Heights, and Maverick tends to a rose garden. Students can use this thematic thread to glean deeper meaning from other symbols, such as KhalilвЂ™s hairbrush, Black Jesus, and officer вЂњOne-Fifteen.вЂќ These, among others, demonstrate the strength of the African American community in the face of a system that works against them. Perhaps most notable is Tupac ShakurвЂ™s concept of вЂњthug life,вЂќ which explains the cyclical nature of poverty and names systemic racism as the main culprit. The Hate U Give is rich with literary merit, offering opportunities for students to analyze symbols and motifs. This novel can help facilitate class discussion on these important problems. Thomas writes about these issues with genuine respect for humanity but without shying away from some harsh truths. The Hate U Give tackles topics like police brutality, gun violence, and the weaponizing of stereotypes (societyвЂ™s use of stereotypes to justify violence and racism). This text is in direct response to social issues-and their corresponding movements-happening right now.

If youвЂ™re looking for a culturally relevant text your students will truly care about, consider adding Angie ThomasвЂ™s powerful and critically acclaimed novel The Hate U Give to your syllabus.

The hate you give discussion questions