The Hate U Give – Extract 1

I stop. Light from the kitchen stretches into the hallway.

“We have to investigate, Lisa,” says a second voice. Uncle Carlos, Momma’s older
brother. “We want the truth as much as anyone.”

“You mean y’all wanna justify what that pig did,” Daddy says. “Investigate my ass.”
“Maverick, don’t make this something it’s not,” Uncle Carlos says.
“A sixteen-year-old black boy is dead because a white cop killed him. What else could
it be?” “Shhh!” Momma hisses. “Keep it down. Starr had the hardest time falling
asleep.” Uncle Carlos says something, but it’s too low for me to hear. I inch closer.
“This isn’t about black or white,” he says.

“Bullshit,” says Daddy. “If this was out in Riverton Hills and his name was Richie, we
wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“I heard he was a drug dealer,” says Uncle Carlos.

“And that makes it okay?” Daddy asks.

“I didn’t say it did, but it could explain Brian’s decision if he felt threatened.”

A “no” lodges in my throat, aching to be yelled out. Khalil wasn’t a threat that night.
And what made the cop think he was a drug dealer?
Wait. Brian. That’s One-Fifteen’s name?

“Oh, so you know him,” Daddy mocks. “I ain’t surprised.”

“He’s a colleague, yes and a good guy, believe it or not. I’m sure this is hard on him.
Who knows what
he was thinking at the time?”
“You said it yourself, he thought Khalil was a drug dealer,” Daddy says. “A thug. Why he
assumed that though? What? By looking at Khalil? Explain that, Detective.”
Silence.

“Why was she even in the car with a drug dealer?” Uncle Carlos asks. “Lisa, I keep
telling you, you need to move her and Sekani out of this neighborhood. It’s poisonous.”

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Questions :

1. What is the central conflict in this extract from "The Hate U Give"?

2. How do the characters' perspectives on the shooting differ?

3. What do the characters' reactions to the shooting reveal about their attitudes

towards race and justice?

4. How does the mention of the officer's name, Brian, affect the tone and mood of the

conversation?

5. What role does the character of Uncle Carlos play in the discussion about the

shooting?

6. What does Starr's silence and internal struggle suggest about her feelings towards the

shooting and her community?

7. What does the conversation reveal about the impact of systemic racism and

prejudice on the community?

8. How does the mention of Khalil's alleged drug dealing complicate the narrative of

the shooting?

9. What does the discussion about moving Starr and her family out of the neighborhood

suggest about the characters' beliefs about safety and community?

10. How does the conversation about the shooting reflect larger societal issues

surrounding police brutality and racial injustice?

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 Answer Key :

1. The central conflict in this extract from "The Hate U Give" is the aftermath of the

shooting of Khalil, a sixteen-year-old black boy, by a white police officer.

2. The characters' perspectives on the shooting differ greatly. Daddy believes the

shooting was a result of racism, while Uncle Carlos believes it was a misunderstanding

by the officer.

3. The characters' reactions to the shooting reveal their attitudes towards race and

justice. Daddy believes that racism played a role in the shooting, while Uncle Carlos

suggests that Khalil's alleged drug dealing may have been a factor.

4. The mention of the officer's name, Brian, affects the tone and mood of the

conversation, with Daddy becoming more hostile towards Uncle Carlos.

5. Uncle Carlos plays the role of a mediator, attempting to calm down the situation and

suggesting that there may be more to the story than what is currently known.

6. Starr's silence and internal struggle suggest that she is conflicted about the shooting

and her loyalty to her community, which includes both her family and her friends.

7. The conversation reveals the impact of systemic racism and prejudice on the

community, with the characters discussing the possibility that the shooting was racially

motivated.

8. The mention of Khalil's alleged drug dealing complicates the narrative of the shooting

by suggesting that he may have been involved in criminal activity, which could have

influenced the officer's decision to shoot.

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9. The discussion about moving Starr and her family out of the neighborhood suggests

that the characters believe that the community is dangerous and toxic, and that their

safety may be at risk.

10. The conversation about the shooting reflects larger societal issues surrounding police

brutality and racial injustice, particularly the issue of police officers using excessive force

against black individuals.