The Hate U Give - A life scarred by inequality

Welcome to my blog! In this unit on banned books, we dove into literature that’s been restricted, exploring why some works were labeled as too “immoral” or “offensive” for readers. For this project, we each selected a banned book to research. Having the freedom to choose gave me a real sense of responsibility—though, as an indecisive person, picking just one book wasn’t easy! I debated between The Color Purple by Alice Walker, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, and Native Son by Richard Wright. In the end, I settled on The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas because of its powerful take on issues that resonate deeply with today’s world.

The Hate U Give challenged me to confront and reflect on my own experiences and biases. As someone passionate about public service, I was especially drawn to how the book voiced real-world injustices, giving readers a chance to understand struggles often overlooked or dismissed. The story felt urgent, relevant, and incredibly important, especially for those of us who feel a responsibility to change the systems around us.

   Thomas, Angie. The Hate U Give. 2018

In conclusion, I gained valuable insights into why books are banned and why some works continue to face censorship. I believe banning The Hate U Give is a mistake; its message is crucial for young readers and adults alike. As my teacher pointed out, the story’s setting could be any city—Chicago, Los Angeles, New York—all places that mirror our everyday lives. Until the issues it highlights are truly addressed, this book needs to remain accessible. Writing this research paper gave me a chance to deepen my understanding of these topics, and I hope you find this post meaningful as well.