Summary
- The Hate U Give tackles racism and racial inequality with insightful observations and compelling perspectives.
- Starr struggles with maintaining her authentic self and feels the pressure to conform to fit in.
- The movie highlights the importance of speaking out against injustices and standing up for what is right.
The best The Hate U Give quotes showcase the powerful and timely messages at the center of the acclaimed adaptation. Based on the book of the same title written by Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give is the story of Starr (Amandla Stenberg), an African-American teen who witnesses a friend being fatally shot by police and faces the pressures of speaking out and standing for justice. It is a story that has only become more relevant since the movie was first released in 2018, meaning many of the most powerful The Hate U Give quotes still resonate with viewers.
Much like the original Angie Thomas novel, The Hate U Give tackles the impact of racism and racial inequality on communities, mainly due to corrupt and indifferent law enforcement, with insightful observations and compelling perspectives. Starr's journey in the movie is filled with difficult decisions, danger, bravery, and even a little humor, all of which fuel the thought-provoking lines that come from her and the people in her life. The result is a collection of poignant quotes that stick with the audience long after the credits roll.
20 "I Turned My Back On All Of My People. Do You Even Know What That’s Like?"
Starr Carter
For the most part, Chris (KJ Apa) and Starr have a wholesome relationship. He truly cares about her and showcases it throughout the film. However, before Khalil's death, Chris had only seen one side of Starr, which is the one she dubbed "Williamson Starr." She explains to him that because she is one person at school and another at home, she never feels like her true self.
Starr feels like she turned her back on those who she was raised with, which crushes her emotionally. The duality that Starr struggles with is one of the most interesting aspects of The Hate U Give, and something she's forced to deal with more and more as her two worlds collide.
19 "Williamson Starr Doesn’t Give Anyone A Reason To Call Her Ghetto. And I Hate Myself For Doing It."
Starr Carter
Starr explains to the audience that she basically splits herself. Due to the harrowing things she experienced growing up, Starr's parents send her to a private school where she is one of only a few Black students. She adopts her Williamson Starr personality, which is a more preppy version of herself so nobody there can consider her "ghetto."
The notion of Starr needing to suppress certain aspects of her personality in order to make those around her more comfortable is heartbreaking look at how many minority groups often feel when trying to "fit in." Starr points out that although this is what she does, she actually hates herself for it because she's not being her authentic self.
18 "If I Had Told Everybody, I Would’ve Been 'Poor Starr' Who Saw Her Friend Get Killed."
Starr Carter
The struggle Starr faces in coming forward as the person who saw Khalil (Algee Smith) killed is examined through a variety of aspects. There is the danger she faces in speaking out, the pressure she would face being the voice of a social movement, and there is also the trauma she will carry with her for the rest of her life. It is a heartbreaking truth that Starr explains to Chris when explaining why she has not spoken up. Starr doesn't want to be looked at as a victim or a "charity case" as it further robs her of the identity she already has to hide.
17 "Know Your Rights. Know Your Worth."
Maverick Carter
Among the most important people in Starr's life, her father, Maverick Carter (Russell Hornsby), has some of the best advice which makes for some of the best The Hate U Give quotes. Maverick is very practical when he sits down with his young children to explain to them how to behave when interacting with the police. It's a powerful scene when his young kids, Starr and Seven, along with the baby Sekani, sit at the dining table paying close attention to their father. While Maverick wants to have as safe of a life as possible for his kids, he also knows he has to prepare them for the realities of the world.
16 "Their Cuteness Can Be Extra, But They're Adorable."
Starr Carter
One of the key elements of The Hate U Give is that Starr has so much love in her life, even if she faces difficult situations. In one of the lighter scenes early in the movie, Starr's voice-over discusses her parents and the fact that few people thought they would work out. Decades later, Starr's Mom and Dad are together and still very much in love. It is a charming moment of Starr being playfully annoyed yet also admiring the relationship her parents have. Though she is an independent and strong young woman, the powerful team of her parents is key to her becoming that way.
15 "So When I'm Here, I'm Starr Version 2."
Starr Carter
The two versions of Starr that she has to adopt in her life are introduced early in the story, but it becomes clear that the facade she puts up in school will eventually have to come down. As Starr explains the version of herself at Williamson, it is as if she is describing a totally different person, showing the disconnect she has from this side of herself. While it presents tension early on in The Hate U Give due to Starr trying to maintain that personality without it faltering, seeing her choose to embrace her true self is a powerful catharsis later in the story.
14 "Slang Makes Them Cool. Slang Makes Me Hood."
Starr Carter
Many of the best The Hate U Give quotes touch on the subtle racism and ignorance that exists in everyday life for Starr. Starr version 2 is very adamant that she will not say anything that a rapper might. She understands that her more privileged white friends can appropriate Black culture without facing any consequences. However, she also knows that if she were to talk in that manner, she'd be perceived very differently. The movie expertly uses these small situations to draw out the further struggles Starr has to put up with.
13 "Well, You Ask Questions About What Happened."
Lisa Carter
The interrogation scene immediately after Khalil's death is quite painful to watch. It's even more painful when the officers interrogating Starr only ask questions about Khalil — his drinking habits, his drug habits, and so on. Both Starr and her mother, Lisa (Regina Hall), angrily react to the police officer's tactics, with Lisa pointing out that they aren't interested in the truth about what happened but rather cementing their version of events. This scene very succinctly captures how narratives are formed and that the law doesn't always pursue the true version of events.
12 "Shine Your Light. I Ain't Name You Starr By Accident."
Maverick Carter
Maverick is an incredible father. He is a strong role model for Starr, Seven (Lamar Johnson), and Sekani (TJ Wright). The situation Starr finds herself in is a complicated one for her to contend with. She is the sole witness in a murder of the kind that usually goes unseen. While she knows she is in a position to make a difference, she is understandably scared about the consequences of coming forward in such a way. Instead of pressuring her one way or another, Maverick simply reminds Starr of who she is and who he raised her to be, reminding her the right choice was within her the whole time.
11 “Daddy Says Our Life Is Here ‘Cause Our People Are Here.”
Starr Carter
The community Starr lives in plays a pivotal role in The Hate U Give. There are many ways that the community comes together to help each other, but there are also dangerous elements to how Starr and her family live. Maverick recognizes those aspects, which is why he sends Starr to a better school outside their community. However, he also insists the family stay in their community and with people who understand them. Despite the ways their community creates struggles for them, Maverick's point of feeling comfortable with their neighbors is reflected in how Starr struggles with feeling like an outsider in her school.
10 "Chris? What Kind Of Plain Ass Name Is That?"
Maverick Carter
Though Maverick is a wise and intelligent man, he can also be somewhat close-minded, especially when it comes to the boys his daughter brings home. In one of the lighter scenes in the movie, Maverick doesn't even try to hide his disapproval at Starr bringing home Chris, a white boyfriend. After a tense meeting with the young man, Maverick confronts the rest of the family and learns he is the only one who didn't know about this already. The funniest moment comes as Maverick criticizes Chris' name, looking for any and all reasons to further dislike the young man.
9 "Where You Live Does Not Define Who You Are, Maverick."
Lisa Starr
Starr's parents, Maverick and Lisa, are such a good team because they can challenge each other without compromising their marriage. While Maverick is the one who teaches his children lessons and gives them guidance, Lisa is also there to tell him the things he needs to hear. When Starr is threatened by a local gang, Lisa wants the family to move.
In contrast to his insistence that they stay in their community, Lisa reminds him that where he lives does not need to define him. It is a way the movie reflects two sides of the same complex idea. Lisa is the voice of reason, counseling both Starr and Maverick's anxiety about being outside their comfort zone.
8 "I Wanna Be A Better Friend For Khalil."
Starr Carter
When Khali dies, it is sadly not the first time that Starr has seen someone killed. Her friend Natasha had also died in front of her when they were younger. Starr didn't speak up for Natasha back then even though she knew who the person who killed Natasha was. The fear she had back then returns when she is put in a similar position following Khali's death, but she feels this time she has to speak up and make sure she is a better friend to Khalil. The guilt and trauma Starr feels is unfair, but the bravery she has allows her to deal with the past tragedy she had not yet addressed.
7 "Don't Ever Let Nobody Make You Quiet."
Maverick Starr
Another way in which the movie shines a light on the complexities of Starr's situation comes from the consequences of her choosing to speak up, especially when it comes to repercussions from King (Anthony Mackie) and his gang. Starr begins to regret it and the trouble it causes. Maverick then makes sure his kids are reminded of the lessons he gave them.
He reminds Starr and her brothers that no matter what happens, they should never let anybody intimidate them into silence. He tells them that they are "his reasons to live and reasons to die." It's another powerful lesson that Starr carries with her in her difficult journey to see justice done.
6 "How Many Of Us Have To Die Before Y'all Get It?"
Starr Carter
The dramatic tension is at a peak in this scene when Starr faces down with the police officers who have their guns aimed and are about to turn another situation into a tragedy. Starr puts herself in between the police and her younger brother, asking them this pointed question. It is a heartbreaking moment to see this young girl who has witnessed so much violence in her life wondering what it will take to finally stop. It is one of the most powerful moments in The Hate U Give and cements the heroic nature Starr has had inside throughout.
5 "She Swore Raising The Dead Was More Likely Than Mama And Daddy Making It."
Starr Carter
This The Hate U Give quote comes early on in the movie as Starr explains how her parents met and eventually fell in love. The story follows the novel in terms of what both of her parents overcame in order to create such a beautiful family and have a successful life, and this line reflects Starr's admiration for them both. There are key phrases in this quote, such as Starr saying that they "stay proving her (Starr's nana) and everybody else wrong," which echo the bigger picture of racial injustice and how Starr, ultimately, proves the entire world wrong, starting with her own community.
4 "Mama, I Need To Speak For Him."
Starr Carter
Starr is not only outraged by what happened to Khali but also by the reaction to his death, especially in her school. She is able to see how wrong it is for people who didn't know Khalil to use his death in vain for their own selfish gain. Starr is frustrated yet empowered by the notion that if no one else will speak for her best friend, then she will. This is also one of the pivotal moments in which Starr finds the strength and the courage to speak up, bearing witness to the tragedy and injustice surrounding Khalil's murder. The inaction of others spurs her into action.
3 "We Are All Witnesses To This Injustice! We See It All & We Will Not Stop Until The World Sees It Too!"
Starr Carter
One of the most emotional and powerful scenes in the entire The Hate U Give movie — as well as in the novel — is when Starr finally finds her voice. Throughout the entire time prior, her anger, frustration, and sense of purpose have been growing, only needing an outlet in order to find her footing.
That ends up being a protest after the police officer who killed Khalil is able to walk free. Starr is handed a megaphone by April, valiantly climbs on top of a car, and uses it to speak her — and Khalil's — truth. Everything that happened up to this point served as the buildup to this final moment in which Starr finds clarity through the justified confusion and anger around her.
2 "We Live In A Complicated World, Starr."
Carlos
One of the simplest yet profound The Hate U Give quotes comes as Starr's Uncle Carlos (played by rapper Common) attempts to explain the complexity of the shooting, only for Starr to make clear she sees it as quite clear. Carlos' attempts to reason with the situation come from the fact that he's a cop, his career seems to have blinded him from the injustices that also surround him and the people he has sworn to protect.
On one hand, Carlos is empathetic to Starr's cause and feels for her losing Khalil. On the other hand, his career is part of his life and prevents him from seeing how dire the situation is, and how police brutality has found its way into his own personal life.
1 "Division Is How They Win. Unity Is How They Crumble."
April Ofrah
April Ofrah (Issa Rae) is a powerful and influential person in The Hate U Give and eventually ends up helping Starr find her voice at a protest. At Khalil's funeral, April shows up, saying plainly and clearly how Khalil's murder is part of the bigger picture. This is not the first, nor will it be the last, injustice, lest they do something to stop it.
In her conversation with Starr, April explains how the police make it their mission to divide the Black community to remain in control, which is why 'unity' is how they will eventually be overcome. This simple quote says so much and is so powerful, echoing loud and clear, especially in today's world.
The Hate U Give
- Release Date
- October 19, 2018
- Director
- George Tillman Jr.
- Cast
- Issa Rae , Amandla Stenberg , lamar johnson , Russell Hornsby , Common , Algee Smith , Regina Hall , Sabrina Carpenter , Anthony Mackie , kj apa
- Runtime
- 132minutes
- Studio(s)
- 20th Century
-
The Hate U Give
- Release Date:
- 2018-10-19
- Cast:
- Issa Rae, Amandla Stenberg, lamar johnson, Russell Hornsby, Common, Algee Smith, Regina Hall, Sabrina Carpenter, Anthony Mackie, kj apa
- Director:
- George Tillman Jr.
- Genres:
- Drama
- Rating:
- PG-13
- Writers:
- Audrey Wells
- Runtime:
- 132minutes
- Budget:
- $23 million
- Studio(s):
- 20th Century
- Distributor(s):
- 20th Century
