The movie The Hate U Give, released in 2018 and directed by George Tillman Jr.

,
is an adaptation of the novel by Angie Thomas about the main protagonist Starr
Carter. Starr Carter, a 16-year-old African girl, is caught between two worlds
where neither version of herself seems to fit in: her predominantly black
neighborhood of Garden Heights and her predominantly white prep school that she
attends, Williamson, where she is Starr version 2.0. The film effectively navigates
Starr's emotional struggles as she tries to speak out against the injustice she saw,
while she continues to struggle with her ongoing grief and sense of identity. The
film’s defining moment and driving force for this struggle is the shooting of her
childhood friend, Khalil Harris, which draws attention to the institutionalized
racism and prejudice that guide the responses of the police and the legal system.
Starr and her family are up against opposition from the police, the media, and even
their own neighborhood as they fight for Khalil's justice. They are compelled to
face and comprehend the sad truth of a society that hasn't yet accepted that it
values Black lives less than it does white lives. The title of the movie The Hate U
Give can be abbreviated to the acronym THUG, which is derived from Tupac
Shakur’s philosophy which he famously defines as “The Hate U Give Little Infants
Fs Everybody.” THUG LIFE, The notion serves as a unifying theme that
emphasizes the ongoing cycle of oppression and how institutional neglect of
oppressed people ultimately hurts society as a whole. By exploring the effects of
social neglect and prejudice on young lives, the film uses characterization, plot,
and themes like racial discrimination, police brutality, identity, activism, etc. to
show how each person contributes to sustaining or breaking these patterns.

One of the film's key themes is the institutional racism and immense racial
inequality in the United States. The depictions of Williamson, the prep school Starr
attends, and Garden Heights, where she lives, show a glaring difference between
the privileged and the destitute, between black and white areas. Starr, who finds
herself in the middle of this conflict, feels obliged to take on two identities to fit in.
This blatant inequality draws attention to the diverse ways that systematic racism
affects opportunities and experiences for people of color compared to those of
white people. In this case, the protest at Williamson is a convenient justification for
white students to skip class, but for Starr, it is the only thing that gives her the
confidence to pursue justice in the wake of her friend's murder. The shooting of
Khalil by a white police officer is the most shocking and devastating example of
systemic racism in the movie. This particular incident provides a clear illustration
of the excessive and frequently fatal force employed by law enforcement against
black people. Khalil's passing brings to light the structural problems and persistent
racism in the criminal justice system.
Starr's struggle to deal with her dual identities is another instance of the theme of
racial inequality. As she makes her way to Williamson, Starr describes her double
personality. “Slag makes them cool. Slang makes me hood” Starr expresses how,
even though her white classmates find it acceptable to utilize black lingo and
jargon, she finds it unflattering because it makes her appear ‘ghetto’. She
demonstrates that the white community, of which she is a part, has a double
standard in this instance. She alternates between her predominately white prep
school and Garden Heights, her primarily black neighborhood. This is also shown
when Starr states “Williamson Starr is approachable. No stank-eyes, side-eyes,
none of that. Williamson Starr is nonconfrontational. Basically, Williamson Starr
doesn’t give anyone a reason to call her ghetto.” This demonstrates systemic
racism, which pushes people of color to change their behavior according to social
expectations and prejudice.

Police brutality is addressed directly in The Hate U Give. This topic recurs
throughout the film and is introduced at the beginning when Maverick, Starr's
father, makes his small children recite the Bill of Rights. “Know your rights, know
your worth” After handing his children the Black Panthers' list of rights, Maverick
makes this statement to them. He is a dad who is committed to teaching his
children how to function in a system that still oppresses black Americans and how
valuable they are. This demonstrates how firmly Maverick believes in teaching
children to value and love themselves. The fundamental conflict and tragic instance
of police violence is Khalil's death. Khalil's passing emphasizes the susceptibility
of black people to unjustified violence, it raises concerns about unjustified violence
and calls into question the disproportionate force employed by some law
enforcement officials. The film depicts Starr's immediate and long-term emotional
impact due to Khalil's shooting. She suffers great trauma and survivor's guilt as a
witness to the event. Starr's reaction, which ranges from shock and grief to rage
and determination, reflects the variety of feelings felt by actual victims and their
loved ones. The film serves as a sad reminder of the urgent need for reform and the
need to advocate for a more just and equitable society by humanizing the victims
and highlighting the broader social repercussions. This personal weight humanizes
the topic and makes it more relatable to the viewer. Her journey from reluctant
witness to activist against police brutality demonstrates the emotional toll that acts
of violence exact on people. The Hate U Give depicts how police brutality impacts
young people like Starr and her brothers. It emphasizes the tough conversations
that parents have with their children regarding the threats that they face as a result
of racial profiling. The film highlights the necessity for change in order to preserve
future generations.

The name “Garden Heights” serves as a significant motif throughout the film.
While a garden is often linked with growth and beauty, Garden Heights is a
community beset by poverty, crime, and racial discrimination. This comparison
highlights the disparity between the romanticized American dream and the harsh
realities of the poor. The motif of the garden serves as a reminder of the unfulfilled
potential and aspirations of the neighbourhood’s residents. It is a visual
representation of the institutional racism that limits the opportunities available to
people of color. It highlights both the community's challenges and its strengths
while capturing the complex relationships between place and identity. The movie
encourages viewers to consider how urgently underprivileged groups need change
and fairness through its depiction of Garden Heights. Garden Heights is more than
just a location; it also serves as a potent symbol that heightens the impact and
message of the movie.

Harry Potter allusions occur in The Hate U Give, and Starr's appreciation for the

series brings attention to the unfair treatment of black and white heroes. When they

were younger, Starr, Natasha, and Khalil referred to themselves as the "hood trio"

in an allusion to the trio of main characters in Harry Potter. The comparison

between Rowling's trio battling for justice in the wizarding world and Starr battling

for justice in her own is made by Thomas' mapping of Harry Potter characters onto

her own characters. While readers applaud Harry and his companions for

exercising civil disobedience in the face of Voldemort's takeover of the wizarding

world, Starr—and other black adolescents in real life—have to contend with smear

campaigns, arrest threats, and tear gas when they stand up for what is right.

Maverick's amusing analogy of the Hogwarts Houses as gangs also depicts this

difference. Maverick, poses the topic of why we might not perceive Harry Potter's

strong house pride as gang-like.

In The Hate u Give, themes, motifs, symbolism, and dramatic aspects are used to

highlight the critical concerns of racial inequity and police brutality. The movie is

intriguing and socially important. The movie promotes open discussion on these

important problems by inviting viewers to consider their own roles in battling

injustice through its complex analysis of identity. The narrative's emotional impact

is enhanced by the employment of visual and auditory approaches, making it an

effective instrument for bringing about social change. The Hate U Give serves as a

powerful reminder of the significance of speaking up and pursuing justice in a

society where these issues still persist.