The Hate U Give – Extract 2

The officer approaches the driver’s door and taps the window. Khalil cranks the handle to
roll it down. As if we aren’t blinded enough, the officer beams his flashlight in our faces.
“License, registration, and proof of insurance.”
Khalil breaks a rule—he doesn’t do what the cop wants. “What you pull us over for?”
“License, registration, and proof of insurance.”
“I said what you pull us over for?”

“Khalil,” I plead. “Do what he said.”

Khalil groans and takes his wallet out. The officer follows his movements with the flashlight.
My heart pounds loudly, but Daddy’s instructions echo in my head: Get a good look at
the cop’s face. If you can remember his badge number, that’s even better.

With the flashlight following Khalil’s hands, I make out the numbers on the badge—one-
fifteen. He’s white, midthirties to early forties, has a brown buzz cut and a thin scar over his
top lip. Khalil hands the officer his papers and license.
One-Fifteen looks over them. “Where are you two coming from tonight?”

“Nunya,” Khalil says, meaning none of your business. “What you pull me over for?” “Your
taillight’s broken.”

“So are you gon’ give me a ticket or what?” Khalil asks.

“You know what? Get out the car, smart guy.”

“Man, just give me my ticket—”

“Get out the car! Hands up, where I can see them.”
Khalil gets out with his hands up. One-Fifteen yanks him by his arm and pins him against
the back door.

I fight to find my voice. “He didn’t mean—”

“Hands on the dashboard!” the officer barks at me. “Don’t move!”

I do what he tells me, but my hands are shaking too much to be still.
He pats Khalil down. “Okay, smart mouth, let’s see what we find on you today.”

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 Questions :
1. What is the theme of this extract from "The Hate U Give"?
2. How does the protagonist feel during the encounter with the police officer?
3. What does Daddy's advice to the protagonist suggest about the reality of police
encounters for black people?
4. What rule does Khalil break during the encounter, and how does it affect the situation?
5. What is the significance of Khalil's response to the officer's question about where they
were coming from?
6. What does the officer's response to Khalil's question about why they were pulled over
reveal about his attitude?
7. How does the officer's use of force against Khalil impact the protagonist's view of the
situation?
8. What does the protagonist's compliance with the officer's orders suggest about the
power dynamic in the encounter?
9. How does the officer's behavior and language towards Khalil reflect systemic racism?
10. What do you think the consequences of this encounter might be for the protagonist and
Khalil?

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 Answer Key :

1. The theme of this extract is police brutality and systemic racism.

2. The protagonist feels fearful and anxious during the encounter with the police officer.
3. Daddy's advice suggests that black people are at risk of mistreatment and violence during
police encounters, and that it is important to gather information to hold police officers
accountable for their actions.
4. Khalil breaks the rule of complying with the officer's initial request for license, registration,
and proof of insurance, which escalates the situation and leads to the officer using force
against him.
5. Khalil's response to the officer's question about where they were coming from suggests his
reluctance to share personal information with someone who he perceives as a potential
threat.
6. The officer's response to Khalil's question reveals his dismissive and confrontational attitude
towards him, which contributes to the escalation of the situation.
7. The officer's use of force against Khalil causes the protagonist to view the situation as a
manifestation of systemic racism and police brutality.
8. The protagonist's compliance with the officer's orders suggests a power dynamic in which
the officer has authority over her and Khalil, and they must comply with his demands to
avoid further harm.
9. The officer's behavior and language towards Khalil reflects systemic racism because he
uses his power and authority to mistreat and harm a black person, without just cause or
provocation.
10. The consequences of this encounter may include legal charges against Khalil, as well as
emotional trauma and fear for the protagonist and their community. It may also lead to a
broader discussion and examination of police brutality and systemic ra cism in society.