The Hate You Give- Part 2

This was an incredible book. I have already recommended it to many people!

Although I have never personally experienced many of the issues, I was able to deeply connect with the characters. Reading this has helped me to understand the Black Lives Movement in a deeper way. I think this book would be a great tool to use in the classroom as it would allow students who have not experienced racism to understand. On the other hand, this book also gives those who have experienced racism towards themselves to feel like they have a voice and support.

Starr and Maya bring up a powerful discussion point on page 252. When the two friends are discussing Hailey saying hurtful comments Starr reflects wondering, "That's the problem. We let people say stuff, and they say it so much that it becomes okay to them and normal for us." I see this happening often among teenagers at my school. They think that they can say racial comments for a plethora of reasons: they perceive it as a joke, celebrities do it, they are friends with a person of the race, they are a person of the race. It happens so much in the media and social networks that people think that it is okay to do. However, the comments are hurtful and inappropriate. Reading about Starr and Maya discovering that they need to use their voice to stand up against Hailey was powerful for me to read as an adult. It allowed me to reflect on my own perception of jokes. The use of this book in the classroom would allow students to do the same while focusing on the characters rather than themselves or friends.

In correlation with the previous discussion point, Starr makes a powerful decision on page 433 that would also be a great discussion tool in the classroom. Starr decides that she no longer needs Hailey in her life and it is time to separate from her. This is a crucial lesson for teens to learn; however, it is also one that many unfortunately do not learn. Young people need to know that it is okay to distance yourself from someone that is toxic to your happiness and wellbeing. Many people go through life thinking that they have to be friends with someone because of their history, but Starr shows us that it is okay to move on from a person. She is a wise young woman with the support of her mother.

Angie Thomas dedicated this book, "to every kid in Georgetown and in all "the Gardens" of the world: your voices matter, your dreams matter, your lives matter. Be rose that grows in the concrete." (Acknowledgements). I really loved this statement. It reminded me of the book, The Help, where the nanny tells the young girl, "You is kind, you is smart, you is important." Young people need to hear words of encouragement such as these examples. They need to know that at least one adult thinks that their dreams matter. So many students have an uphill battle, and I hope to help them be a rose that grows in the concrete.

Great book! I think we should have read this last since no other book will top it, but hopefully I am wrong about that! I am looking forward to Angie Thomas's next publication!

The Hate You Give

This book is a page turner! And, I do not often get overly invested in a book. I ended up spending my whole Sunday afternoon on the couch.... cleaning, exercise, shoveling, shopping, and cooking all got postponed!

In the past few years, I have definitely become much more aware of my white privilege and how that affects my life. This book really caused me to reflect on how I would never experience the issues and struggles Starr must face solely due to our different skin colors. I do not worry that an officer will shoot me when I get pulled over. Once, when I was in high school, my mom and I were driving to see my Aunt in Great Falls. My mom got pulled over for speeding. It was only a few above the speed limit and it was going down a hill. The officer said he was just checking since it was Fourth of July weekend and wanted us to stay safe. He let us go on our way. This was before my awareness of issues such as this and how my skin color affects interactions such as this. I was talking to my mom when we drove off about it and she said something to the affect of, we had a nice car, we were buckled up, the dog was in a kennel, etc. I never really got her point at the time. Now, I realize that she is aware that the interaction could have gone much different for someone else.

Starr has the blessing of a caring and supportive family. My favorite quote of the whole book so far is in reference to Momma's feelings for Seven. "When he is around none of that matters. She loves him more than she hates Iesha." (Page 131) Wow! If all adults could put their feelings and drama aside, children would be so much better off. Instead, we so often see our students being used as pawns in a game between parents and other family members. It is heart breaking! Momma's attitude toward Seven is my favorite part of this book. How easily she could hate this child and let it tear him and his father a part. Rather, he is a member of the family and never thought of as different. He has the same moral expectations. I hope Seven can go on to be successful and help the movement.

When Starr and Chris get into their argument and Starr says, "You're white, I'm black. You're rich, I'm not." I found myself thinking of the TV show FRIENDS. There is an episode where Joey, Rachel, and Phoebe have an issue with the other three because they always want to go spend money. The others don't think it is a big deal. However, to the poor ones it is a big deal. Sometimes I feel this way with my family. They always want to go celebrate or do activities and it really kills my bank account! However, they just brush off my concerns because to them money is not a concern. This is as close as my white privilege self can understand what Starr is going through. To her, the race and financial topics are a huge concern. Rather than addressing them, Chris brushes them off like they do not matter. This does not fix the problem. Rather, it makes Starr feel like there is more of a rift between them.

Daddy brings up schools on page 169 saying that, "the schools in our neighborhoods don't prepare us well enough." This caused me cry a bit (not the first time for this book either!). I was just complaining to a fellow teacher I feel like I am failing my students. I get so worried for them to graduate and leave our building. This is also not an exciting time for my students. They do not have plans for college or careers like my friends and I did. They do not have a condo that their parents own to live in like we had. Heck, their parents probably will kick them out of the home soon. They need so much more support. I just do not know how to do more!

I can't wait to read the second half, but I forced myself to stop since I already had so much to talk about for this book. Also, I would have stayed up half the night to finish is and really off set my week!

Highway of Tears

Watching the Highway of Tears documentary was pretty tough for me. I had never heard the statistic of native women being harmed or going missing compared to white women. I have definitely realized how much White Privilege I hold in the last few years. I grew up with educated parents and an in tack family unit. After my recent years working in the SPED school system, I came to know how lucky I am to have had such a stable upbringing.

One key aspect that resonated with me after reflecting on the documentary is how the media and police officials broadcast the women as worthless. They say they were alcoholics, homeless, or got around too much. Given our society's current climate, the public is then more likely say the women deserved it, or it was their fault. This is insane! Why would anyone ever think that treating another human so poorly is deserved regardless the circumstance. I have left establishments after a few too many drinks in my younger years, and thankfully had good friends and family to get me home safely. If something would have happened to me one of those nights, would that be how the media portrayed me? Probably not given my skin color and economic background. But, really what is the difference?

The hardest part of watching the film for me was thinking about my niece as one of these young girls. She has her father's last name, which is a traditional native american name. Also, she "looks native." She will have so many different experiences than I did given these factors. If something tragic such as what is happening on the Highway of Tears happened to her, I would be at a loss. And, to think this could happen just because of her skin color or name. I was thinking, would the media portray her as deserving it, or would the police and media come together to support the family and find her just because some of her family is white, well educated, and economically stable.

These women are someone's niece. They all deserve to be fought for and protected. The response from the police and media is disgusting. Why do we accept that some people deserve horrible outcomes or unequal treatment than others? However, we see it all the time.

My co teacher and I recently read SPEAK with our English students. We teach mostly boys, with only a few girls throughout the day. Our para asked us why we choose that book as she thought is was intended for a female audience. I feel very strongly that we need to teach our boys the appropriate way to treat women and the affects their behavior has on a women's development. No one deserves to be hurt, stolen or murdered no matter their appearance.

After class, I met my husband for dinner. He texted me that parking was horrible and to go park by his vehicle in the parking garage. However, he was already at the table. I found his truck and parked beside him, so we would be together on the way out. I was so nervous to walk alone to the restaurant, especially from the parking garage. I would have been nervous regardless, but was extra on edge after the movie. I texted him that I was leaving my car and pretty much ran to the street. I walked closely behind some men until I got to the restaurant. However, I was thinking, "Why do I think these men will protect me and not be the ones to hurt me? Is it because they are older white males? Would I be this comfortable if they were a different skin tone? Or would I be nervous to be close to them and looking for someone else to be near? They seem comfortable that I am near them. Would they be this comfortable if I was a different skin tone?" These are all things my husband did not have to worry about when walking to the restaurant due to our difference in gender.