Racism in Contemporary Young Adult Literature:

Abstract

The present work examines the theme of racism in Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give (2017). The novel, The Hate U Give, explores how African Americans are subjected to different racist acts even now. In fact, Thomas penned this work due to the death of Oscar Grant among others by the hands of the police. This study seeks to reveal the police violence towards the blacks as well as to show how literature plays an instrumental role in resistance. By following the Critical Race Theory and analytical approach, the study investigates the various racists scenes that are portrayed in the novel which are addressed chiefly to young readers by employing four tenets of the theory. These tenets are: everyday racism, differential racialization, social construction and the voice of colour. Moreover, the present thesis sheds light on the transformation of the main character, Starr Carter. In a sense, it highlights the shift in the protagonist’s character when she uses her voice as a tool to fight and overcome her struggles in her own dilemma and against the police injustice in the American society. This study seeks to show how Starr develops from the non-confident, voiceless, un-brave girl to a new confident and brave Starr. Finally, this thesis explores the role of young adult literature to raise the awareness on certain real life and sensitive topics like racism among the audience of this genre in an attempt to end discrimination against people from other races.