Identity in The Hate U Give

    The Hate U Give is a powerful book that describes how life is like living in a low-income neighborhood versus living or going to school in a middle/upper class area. The main character, Starr Carter, constantly struggles with her identity throughout the novel by being torn between being herself “Garden Heights Starr” and being “Williamson Starr.” Starr attends Williamson high school, which is primarily a white school; at school she code switches so that her friends, peers, and boyfriend do not see who she really is, with fear that she will be called “ghetto”. “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. Slang makes her “hood.” … Basically, Williamson Starr doesn’t give anyone a reason to call her ghetto.” (Thomas 71). This quote shows Starr’s fear of being judged by those around her, and this is why she sees fit to code switch around these people, to eliminate the fear of them finding out how her life is like outside of school. In Garden Heights, where she lives, there is an ongoing struggle of poverty and racism, we see this when her childhood friend Khalil is shot and killed by simply holding a hairbrush. When this happens in the novel, Starr’s identity changes, as she tries to figure out the person that she needs to be. The book is centered around Starr finding her identity and figuring out how to find justice for Khalil. Her character builds throughout the story from her going from not wanting anyone to know that she was the witness to Khalil’s murder, to standing up for him, seeking justice, and showing her identity at the protest.

               Starr’s identity also develops from beginning to end relating to her views of the police and her fear of speaking out to them because she is a person of color. Her father has always taught her, “Keep your hands visible. Don’t make any sudden moves. Only speak when they speak to you.” (Thomas 20). She is nervous around police throughout the book but gains some courage when the police are interviewing her after the incident with Khalil, “One fifteen killed him, And he wasn’t doing anything wrong. How much of a bigger picture do you need?” (Thomas 103). Though she spoke out, she knew not to say anything out of line, because she is inferior, and she is also black. Her fear of the police is shown again when her and her mother are met by a police force roadblock after the funeral. “Suddenly it’s as if someone grabbed my heart and twisted it.” (Thomas 164). During this time, she keeps thinking, “Keep your hands visible. No sudden moves. Only speak when spoken to.” (Thomas 165). Her identity builds throughout the novel when at the end of the book she stands up for Khalil and says, “My name is Starr. I’m the one who saw what happened to Khalil… he assumed we were criminals. Well, Officer Cruise is the criminal… Khalil lived!” (Thomas 411-412).  She even says during her interview with the DA that if One Fifteen was in front of her she would say, “I’d ask if he wished he shot me too.” (Thomas 290). The person that she becomes by the end of the novel is not “Williamson Starr”, I would also say that she is not “Garden Heights Starr.” I believe that she simply becomes Starr. The person that she wants and needs to be, the person who stands up to racism and oppression, one who seeks change, and the person that she has strove to be ever since the passing of Khalil and even her late friend Natasha.

               When Starr ends her friendship with Hailey, reveals her true identity to her boyfriend Chris, and introduces Maya to her life in Garden Heights at Seven’s graduation/birthday party, I think she realizes that her true friends do not care who she really is, and love her for being her. Chris shows throughout the book that he supports her and understands; he slowly earns Starr’s father Maverick’s approval, sticks by Starr’s side throughout the riots, and helps Devante when he gets beat up. Chris is there for her and loves her, Starr’s identity grows through these relationships, when she finally realizes that they want to see who she really is.

               This is such a good book and I intend on using it when I become a teacher. It is so relevant to today’s times, and I wish that everyone would take the time to read it. I know that it really changed my views and allowed me to see alternate perspectives. I strive to one day have the courage the Starr grew throughout the novel. Her strength and courage allowed her to find her true identity by the end of the book.