“Personal relationships are the fertile soil from which all advancement, all success, all achievement in real life grows.”Quoted by Ben Stein, an American writer, lawyer, actor, and commentator on political and economic issues. In The Hate U Give, a novel written by Angie Thomas, readers observe how close connections contribute to the central character’s ultimate understanding of themselves in the story. With the help of Starr Carter’s personal relationships, she is able to overcome her internal struggles and come to terms with her identity as an African-American woman in society. Various sets of relationships Starr has, show an impact to a certain degree in her life. Such as parent/child and romantic relationships. As well as friendships with
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Her parents are very frank with her, specifically having given her “The Talk”. Upon what to do if their child were to ever encounter a police officer or anyone of authority. As a police officer pull's Starr and her friend Khalil over, she mentions about the talk she had with her parents at the age of twelve, “Starr-Starr, you do whatever they tell you to do. Keep your hands visible. Don’t make any sudden moves. Only speak when they speak to you” (Thomas 20). It is because of this discussion with her parents that Starr stays relatively calm when she and Khalil are pulled over. Unlike Khalil, who does not have solid relationship with his parents to have had a discussion with them. The trust that Starr has for her parents is evident when she recounts specific instructions given to her by her father. “Get a good look at the cop’s face. If you can remember his badge number, that’s even better” (22). This instruction, that Starr follows ultimately helps her reveal to the authorities about who shot Khalil. When Starr reveals to her parents that the police officer pointed his gun at her as well, they understand instantly, as they have also been in similar situations. …show more content…
Starr’s group of friends at Williamson consist of her and two of her childhood friends. The first being Hailey Grant. Starr’s caucasian friend who seems to worry about her own interests than anyone else’s. Her character serves as a foil to Chris, Starr’s supportive white boyfriend. Rather than listen to Starr’s grievances, she plays the victim, gaslights Starr and epitomizes white fragility. She uses every trick in the playbook to deflect and derail critiques of her racism. During the basketball game at Williamson, Hailey passes the ball to Starr and makes a racist joke: “Hustle! Pretend the ball is some fried chicken. Bet you’ll stay on it then” (111). Starr doesn’t believe that her best friend would say such a thing knowing about the stereotypes associated with black people loving fried chicken. This results in her questioning herself. Whether she overreacted and that Hailey only said those things to motivate her in the game. When in fact, it was simply a blind and racist joke. Throughout the rest of the novel, Starr begins to truly re-evaluate her friendship with Hailey. With the help of her close friend Maya and her mother, she is able to realize that her friendship with Hailey is superficial and toxic. Unlike her other personal relationships, mutual trust and never really existed between them. She was blinded by Hailey’s popularity and status at Williamson, that she was willing to follow her
Her parents are very frank with her, specifically having given her “The Talk”. Upon what to do if their child were to ever encounter a police officer or anyone of authority. As a police officer pull's Starr and her friend Khalil over, she mentions about the talk she had with her parents at the age of twelve, “Starr-Starr, you do whatever they tell you to do. Keep your hands visible. Don’t make any sudden moves. Only speak when they speak to you” (Thomas 20). It is because of this discussion with her parents that Starr stays relatively calm when she and Khalil are pulled over. Unlike Khalil, who does not have solid relationship with his parents to have had a discussion with them. The trust that Starr has for her parents is evident when she recounts specific instructions given to her by her father. “Get a good look at the cop’s face. If you can remember his badge number, that’s even better” (22). This instruction, that Starr follows ultimately helps her reveal to the authorities about who shot Khalil. When Starr reveals to her parents that the police officer pointed his gun at her as well, they understand instantly, as they have also been in similar situations. …show more content…
Starr’s group of friends at Williamson consist of her and two of her childhood friends. The first being Hailey Grant. Starr’s caucasian friend who seems to worry about her own interests than anyone else’s. Her character serves as a foil to Chris, Starr’s supportive white boyfriend. Rather than listen to Starr’s grievances, she plays the victim, gaslights Starr and epitomizes white fragility. She uses every trick in the playbook to deflect and derail critiques of her racism. During the basketball game at Williamson, Hailey passes the ball to Starr and makes a racist joke: “Hustle! Pretend the ball is some fried chicken. Bet you’ll stay on it then” (111). Starr doesn’t believe that her best friend would say such a thing knowing about the stereotypes associated with black people loving fried chicken. This results in her questioning herself. Whether she overreacted and that Hailey only said those things to motivate her in the game. When in fact, it was simply a blind and racist joke. Throughout the rest of the novel, Starr begins to truly re-evaluate her friendship with Hailey. With the help of her close friend Maya and her mother, she is able to realize that her friendship with Hailey is superficial and toxic. Unlike her other personal relationships, mutual trust and never really existed between them. She was blinded by Hailey’s popularity and status at Williamson, that she was willing to follow her