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While there are many themes from the book, racism, speaking out/ standing up,loss of a friend,friends sticking together and injustice I think play the major roles. The author used these themes because it revolves around the plot-line and helps create a story that embodies what some people are going through in reality today. "Momma fussed and told Daddy I was too young for that. He argued that I wasn't too young to get arrested or shot. "Starr-Starr, you do whatever they tell you to do," he said. "Keep your hands visible. Don't make any sudden moves. Only speak when they speak to you." This quote shows that in this story even from a young age she had to know these rules in order to make sure she never had a reason to get on the bad side of a cop. This quote I believe shows injustice because I don't think others have to worry about this, but she had to worry about that just for precautions. I think the lesson that the author was trying to teach the reader was even in a difficult situation such as racism or injustice towards a certain group because of their race they should speak out. “To every kid in Georgetown and in all “the Gardens” of the world: your voices matter, your dreams matter, your lives matter. Be roses that grow in the concrete.”
I believe this quote matches with the theme to speak out because roses don't grow from the concrete yet there are exceptions. The author wants you to relate that to yourself to stand out and be that rose growing from the concrete. Be brave and speak out and others will too. “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. What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?” The point of your voice is to use it when necessary and it does you no good if you keep quiet. Especially in tough situations, your voice is your power because sometimes that's all you have to be heard. No matter how hard it may seem you must be brave and speak out.

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Tupac is referenced many times in the book The Hate U Give. This refers back to the theme of speaking out because I feel Tupac was a big model on speaking out through his music and his activism through his words. A big reference was T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E by Tupac himself. It stands for The Hate You Give Little Infants F**** Everybody. This stuck throughout the book and to me because I believe it means you know the way we grow up from kids in society today effects in a lot of ways once grown. Starr Carter, the main character is actually based off what Tupac wanted to name his daughter if he ever had one. The cover where Starr resides in the middle the hairband she wears is a tribute to Tupac himself.

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Ya know
Alright, let's go

When the tide hits you straight in the face
Life is getting harder treading water, got nowhere to go
And as the time slips away, day by day
Stranded in the ocean, every open door has now been closed

Deadbolt locked, no escape
Feeling like an outcast, so out of place
And I know the tides might take you away
But don't you worry there's no hurry for tomorrow
'Cause today's still young

Now you've hit rock bottom and you're feeling lost at sea, yeah
Just keep your head above the water
And I know you'll find some way to breathe
When the tides they drag you down
When the tides they drag you down
Down under, further than you've ever been,
What I know
When the tides they pull you out
When the tides they pull you out
Out so far, Lord teach me how to swim, how to swim

Whoa oh oh [3x]
Stay away from the bad tides
Whoa oh oh [3x] Yeah
Only go where there's good vibes

The good vibes, I knew I would choose positivity
After I realize my life is so much more
I know this life ain't what you bargained for
But honestly you never know what
Life has got in store (Yeah you never know)

'Cause everybody's gonna make it if they try (oh yeah)
And if you persevere through your fears, never hide. (yeah)
Fold your hands in a prayer to the sky
And let your worries wash away with the tides
And I'm singing

Now you've hit rock bottom and
You're feeling lost at sea, yeah (So lost, yeah)
Just keep your head above the water (Above the water)
And I know you'll find some way to breathe
When the tides they drag you down
When the tides they drag you down
Down under, further than you've ever been,
What I know
When the tides they pull you out
When the tides they pull you out
Out so far, Lord teach me how to swim, how to swim

Whoa oh oh [3x]
Stay away from the bad tides
Whoa oh oh [3x] Yeah
Only go where there's good vibes

And you got to keep your chin up (And you gotta keep your chin up),
Keep your head held high (Keep your head held high)
Just forget about the bad tides (Just forget),
Let em roll on by (Let em roll)
And you got to keep your chin up (And you gotta keep that chin up),
Keep your head held high (Let em roll)
Just forget about the bad tides (Let em roll), let em roll on by

When the tides they drag you down
When the tides they drag you down
Down under (Down under), further than you've ever been,
What I know
When the tides they pull you out
When the tides they pull you out (They pull me out)
Out so far, Lord teach me how to swim, (teach me) how to swim

Whoa oh oh [3x]
Stay away from the bad tides
Whoa oh oh [3x] Yeah
Only go where there's good vibes
Whoa oh oh [3x]
Stay away from the bad tides
Whoa oh oh [3x] Yeah
Only go where there's good vibes

(Stay away from the bad tides,
Only go where there's good vibes)

(Ha-h, that's dope)

This song refers back to the theme of standing up because Starr during the beginning of the book was not all supportive of speaking out the truth. She feared what the truth would cause and didn't want to be labeled as different seeing as she already struggles in her fancy school. Her friends didn't make it any easier with coming out she was the secret witness for Khalil's trial. At a point, she finally stood up even against her friend who was not willing to see she was doing the right thing for her and nobody else.

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Connection #2 - The Rose that Grew from Concrete

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Connection #2 - The Rose that Grew from Concrete

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Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack
in the concrete
Proving nature's laws wrong it learned 2 walk
without having feet
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams
it learned 2 breathe fresh air
Long live the rose that grew from concrete

when no one else even cared!

The poem The Rose that Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur is a book of poems written by himself. This refers back to the theme of almost speaking out because you sometimes need to do the unthinkable in speaking out like a rose growing from concrete. This specific poem stuck out to me because it reminded me of how something beautiful can grow from an unexpected place. Starr's family including herself are each glamorous in their own way despite how and where they grew up. In society if you grow up in a bad place you are expected to act or be a bad kid. Starr and Seven, her brother are just a few examples from the book that break that mold and grow into something worthy despite their background. Also goes to speaking out because Starr took it upon herself to finally speak out for Khalil and his death

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Connection #3 - Truth to Power by OneRepublic

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Connection #3 - Truth to Power by OneRepublic

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I could tell you I was fragile
I could tell you I was weak
I could write you out a letter
To tell you anything you need
I've seen minutes turn to hours
Hours turn to years
And I've seen truth turn to power

If you could see me the way I see you
If you could feel me the way I feel you
You'd be a believer
You'd be a believer

Minutes turn to hours
Hours turn to years
And I've seen truth turn to power

I could tell you I was ageless
But I know you see the light
I could tell you I'm immune to everything
But that's a lie
Dust don't turn to flowers
Skies don't disappear
But I've seen truth to power
Oh, if you could see me the way I see you
If you could feel me the way I feel you
You'd be a believer (believer)
You'd be a believer (believer)
You'd be a believer (believer)
You'd be a believer (believer)

Hard to keep goin' on (hard to keep goin' on)
I said it's hard to keep goin' on (hard to keep goin' on)
It's hard to keep goin' on (hard to keep goin' on)

If you could see me the way I see you
If you could feel me the way I feel you
You'd be a believer
You'd be a believer
You'd be a believer
Be a believer
Be a believer (believer)
You'd be (be a believer)

Minutes turn to hours
Hours turn to years
And I've seen truth turn to power

These lyrics remind me of how much the truth can lead to power which leads into a movement. This goes to the theme of speaking out because once Starr spoke the truth about what happened the movement grew stronger. The whole movement for Khalil grew stronger because now they had their "star" representative.

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Connection #7 - Count On Me by Bruno Mars

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Connection #7 - Count On Me by Bruno Mars

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If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea,
I'll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see,
I'll be the light to guide you

Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need

You can count on me like one two three
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah

Whoa, whoa
Oh, oh
Yeah, yeah

If you tossin' and you're turnin' and you just can't fall asleep
I'll sing a song
Beside you
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me
Everyday I will
Remind you

Ooh
Find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need

You can count on me like one two three
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two
You'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah

Oh, oh
Yeah, yeah

You'll always have my shoulder when you cry
I'll never let go
Never say goodbye
You know you can

Count on me like one two three
I'll be there
And I know when I need it I can count on you like four three two
And you'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah

Oh, oh
You can count on me 'cause I can count on you

This song reminds me of the theme friends sticking together. Not even just friends, but family and community as well. During her rough time of losing her childhood best friend Starr had her boyfriend and friends to help pick her back up again. Her family surrounded her with love and support as well through just being there and listening to her side of the story. Her community stuck by her when she made the hard decision in coming forward with the truth and she was harassed for it. All of these examples prove how much easier it is to get through something with at least someone then by yourself. I think this was one of the biggest themes that played throughout the book and was really eye opening to see the effects of just having at least one other person there to help you through what you need.

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This video reminded me of the theme speaking out because you see each person was speaking for the other using their voice. Neither of them felt like they had a voice so they were using each other to speak about what they believe in. This related to Starr because she did fear her voice and the truth behind it therefore letting everyone around her speak about the truth.

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"Lost Voices" by Eastern Michigan Univeristy (CUPSI 2015)

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'As I lay me down to sleep
I hear her speak to me

Hello 'Mari, how ya doin'?
I think the storm ran out of rain, the clouds are movin'
I know you're happy, 'cause I can see it
So tell the voice inside ya head to believe it
I talked to God about you, he said he sent you an angel
And look at all that he gave you
You asked for one and you got two
You know I never left you
'Cause every road that leads to heaven's right inside you
So I can say

Hello my only one, just like the mornin' sun
You'll keep on risin' 'til the sky knows your name
Hello my only one, remember who you are
No you're not perfect but you're not your mistakes

Hey, hey, hey, hey
Oh the good outweighs the bad even on your worst day
Remember how I'd say
Hey hey one day you'll be the man you always knew you could be
And if you knew how proud I was
You'd never shed a tear, have a fear, no you wouldn't do that
And though I didn't pick the day to turn the page
I know it's not the end every time I see her face, and I hear you say

Hello my only one, remember who you are
You got the world 'cause you got love in your hands
And you're still my chosen one
So can you understand? One day you'll understand

So hear me out, hear me out
I won't go, I won't go
No goodbyes, no goodbyes
Just hello, just hello
And when you cry, I will cry
And when you smile, I will smile
And next time when I look in your eyes
We'll have wings and we'll fly

Hello my only one, just like the mornin' sun
You'll keep on risin' 'til the sky knows your name
And you're still my chosen one, remember who you are
No you're not perfect but you're not your mistakes

Hey, hey, hey, hey
Tell Nori about me, tell Nori ab-
I just want you to do me a favor
Tell Nori about me, tell Nori about me

This song reminds me of how Starr felt when she lost Khalil. I mean he was her childhood best friend and she unfortunately had to watch him die right in front of her.I know how hard it is to lose a friend and it is not easy. It takes a long time and hard work to recover. Starr had to do just that and even more. She had to work endlessly with herself in order to feel comfortable enough to speak out the truth. At the end of the day even though many people wanted her to she had to do it on her own terms. This was her friend she lost and she needed to time to recover first.

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This refers to the theme of racism with Kanye West making headlines for his misspoken words about black people. Racism plays a major role through The Hate U Give and it is why Khalil was shot and killed. It's why Starr had to learn from a young age how to act around cops in order for her to stay out of trouble. Racism much to my and many others disappointment still resides today on Earth. Why it does, I'm not sure. Kanye West much to the disappointment of many people said black people are too sensitive over racism which I don't think they are. In order for racism to be clearly over in our world we have to accept everyone is equal and no one is above another.

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Kanye West Ignites a Debate About Racism - The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Video Clip) | Comedy Central

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Kanye West takes to Twitter to imply that black people are overly sensitive about racism, prompting Roy Wood Jr. to highlight recent acts of bigotry in the U.S.

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The March for Our Lives movement clearly reminds me of the theme of sticking together, speaking out, and activism. After the terrible tragedy of losing 17 members of their school, MSD rose together in order to create a memorable movement. They worked hard and gathered many around the country in order to support their cause. They have done such good for themselves and others around and that is clearly what society needs to be like today. The movement #Justice4Khalil in The Hate U Give was kind like March for Our Lives in a sense of unity and power. Starr's community and others around rose in a unified fashion in order to stick up for what they believe in. In the end each party has accomplished gratifying goals and should be very proud.

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Connection #10 - Fight Song by Rachel Platten

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Connection #10 - Fight Song by Rachel Platten

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This song by Rachel Platten refers to the theme of sticking up and not giving up. This song clearly tells the story of a young person who feels the need to get stronger and by will power is doing so. Starr took much needed time in order to prepare herself for Khalil's trial. She had gotten much stronger since the beginning of the book. She fought for herself and for deceased best friend who deserved to get justice. Her strength clearly was proven through her bravery of how she went up on the stand and spoke out. She even went on live television so everyone could hear what really happened. She had gone against all odds and came out stronger. She gained that power just by focusing on what had to be done and sticking to what she believed in.

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Rachel Platten - Fight Song (Official Video)