New York Times best-selling author, Angie Thomas, on the inspiration behind the novel ‘The Hate U Give’
Southern bred Thomas drew from her personal experience with self-discovery, racism and violence to create the page-turning book.
“I was inspired to write the ‘The Hate You Give’ my first year of college. I had to be two different people in two different worlds. I would leave my house playing Tupac by the time I got to my school I was playing the Jonas Brothers, but that is what I thought I had to do to fit in,” said Thomas.
Thomas was a freshman in college when the idea to write her book came toher. The killing of Oscar Grant back in 2009 in Oakland California also influenced the subject matter of her novel. She wanted to connect with others and discuss a topic that impacted her and her community.
Art Imitates Life
“My struggle being two different people in two different worlds became harder when Oscar Grant lost his life in Oakland, California. I remember there were conversations at my school and in my neighborhood. In my neighborhood Oscar was one of us. I knew Oscars. I grew up with guys just like him. At my school, I had classmates who thought he deserved it because he was an ex con or they saw the video. They said, ‘He should have just done what they told him to do,’” she shared.
Thomas used her raw emotions to fuel her creativity. “In my anger, frustration, and hurt I decided to write a short story. I wrote it about a boy named Khalil who was a lot like Oscar and a girl named Star who lived in those two worlds like me. That essentially is how ‘The Hate You Give’ was born. I definitely took things I have gone through myself and even the grief of losing someone so close to you at such an early age,” said the author.
The novel resonates with readers because it gives an honest account of life from a Black teen girl’s perspective, and how she navigates through the many layers of America’s modern society. The best selling novel has been adapted into a film starring Amandla Stenberg, Anthony Mackie, Algee Smith, Regina Hall, Common, and more.
Writing Book #2
The success of her first novel has been a blessing, but as to be expected there is a bit of anxiety to write another best seller as well. Thomas is pushing past the apprehension and delving deeper within herself to write an even more personal story this time around.
“I am relieved there is a bit of pressure in the beginning, but now I’m kinda ignoring it. I am writing this second book for me, and I am so excited about it because I am able to take some of my new experiences and put them into this book. It is about a young Black girl who wants to be a rapper. That is something I wanted to do as a kid. She finds herself in an interesting situation when her mom unexpectedly loses her job and her song goes viral for all the wrong reasons. Suddenly, she finds herself at the end of criticism and censorship. I know all about that. I put a lot into that book,” Thomas said.
For more information on Angie Thomas’ buzz worthy book click here.
Check out more highlights of the interview below!
Angie Thomas on Colorism
Angie Thomas on the representation of Tupac and Black men in the media
Angie Thomas on what she hopes the white audience takes away from the book
