The Hate U Give is an eye-opening movie for audiences of all races and ages. Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Angie Thomas, this movie gives people an insight into what it is like being a minority in America and the fears they face every day. The plot is a driving force with one implicit goal as well as multiple underlying themes throughout; i.e a teens struggle of finding her place in the world, cops continuously getting off without any repercussions, and the hardships of Black people having to change themselves to not intimidate White people.  The movie begins with a father giving his (and every other Black parent) version of “the talk” to his young children. This “talk” is teaching children how to react if the police ever pull you over because your reaction could mean the difference between life and death. It then moves on to his children as teens and what their personalities have become. The main character, Starr (with two R’s) (Amandla Stenberg), lives her life between two different worlds, her predominantly white prep school and Garden Heights. Starr goes to a party where a scuffle happens and gunshots are fired. This prompts her to leave and her friend Khalil Harris (Algee Smith) offers her a ride home. An altercation transpires that forces Starr to figure out how to take control of both of her lives and speak out against injustices.

As a young Black woman watching this movie the themes were not shocking as some might assume. This movie showed just a glimpse of everyday life as a black woman. I live in fear every single time I drive that I can get pulled over and be the next Sandra Bland or Tamir Rice. I took my 8-year-old sister to watch this movie with me and the effect it had on her is a new fear I have to face with my family. We have always taught her to be safe but have also shielded her from many of the realities of the world. As we were driving home she shared how she was scared of the police now, not because of the movie itself, but the veil was lifted, she saw and recognized that while it was a movie, most of the themes are not fictional.. She asked me questions that no child should ever have to worry about like “Why would cops kill us?”, “Will they kill me for no reason?”, and “Are they going to kill you for driving?” At 8 years old, I knew it was time for her and me to have “the talk”.

Stay calm around police because any sudden movement can scare them and they’ll kill you.

Do exactly what they tell you or else they will become angry and shoot you.

Always follow the rules so that they don’t have a reason to pull you over or you will risk death.

This is the reality that we and many other Black people face every day. It is sad that any group of people has to fear for their lives in this way because another race has systematic superiority. This privilege is shown when Starr gets into an argument with her white friend Hailey. Hailey doesn’t understand the circumstances surrounding Khalil’s case because she has never had to deal with that fear a day in her life. She sides with the cop because society has taught her that cops protect you, Black people kill you. She is the epitome of “everybody wants to be black but nobody wants to be black, it’s okay to claim the culture but god forbid they deal with the issues black people face every day”. Hailey loves taking on aspects of the culture, but when it comes time to side with the Black people she “claims as her own” she goes back to being the privileged white girl in Williamson. This is why this movie is so important. It shows everybody the effects society has on every racial group.

This movie is a revolutionary drama that can teach people of all ages the struggles Black Americans face and what they can do to help fix these injustices. This movie gets a 5-star rating and everybody should go see it immediately. The better this movie does, the more likely there will be more movies made that help educate people about the trials and tribulations faced by minorities daily. Representation matters.

Thug life- The Hate U Give Little Infants F’s Everybody. -Tupac