The Hate U Give: Identity and Blackness

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to investigate how identity is formed in cross-cultural environments through the analysis of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. By telling this story, the author wanted to illustrate the difficulty of forming one’s own identity as well as to report the disquieting racism which takes place in the United States. Identity formation is even more difficult in a system in which your race involves power abuse and discrimination. Through the analysis of the novel, it is possible to notice how black history, music and language as a part of African American cultural identity, shaped Thomas creation. However, the role of language as transmitter of power is key for the development of the novel as well as from identity formation of the main character. The final message that the novel transmits to the reader is that, the fight for black people rights is far from over.