It should come as no surprise that due to the overall current state of our nation, the divide between one another has never been greater. We all like to fool ourselves, and I’m guilty of this too, that race relations have gotten measurably better and that we’ve taken great strides towards furthering solidarity between our fellow man, and woman. The truth is that there is probably more outward racism now than there was sixty years ago. People have just done a better job at expressing veiled racism. We don’t notice things at first glance, and maybe that’s a design of human nature to just filter out some of the noise. The fact is that racism is here and it will never be completely eradicated. As decent people, we just need to rise above the hate.
The new film The Hate U Give will spark a flame deep down inside where many of us internalize all of the wrongs that committed simply because someone looks different, doesn’t share the same political beliefs, or isn’t on the same economic plane. America has become the land of the divided. No side is blameless and if we’re serious about making the world a better place, change must begin from within. This cinematic experience is as good a place as any to start.
Starr (Amandla Stenberg) finds herself in the precarious position of leading two fragile existences. She lives in a black neighborhood while attending a school in the suburbs that is predominately white. The reason for this is that her parents, Mav (Russell Hornsby) and Lisa (Regina Hall), want what’s best, and safest for their children in order to give them the lives that they themselves were not able to have. Starr’s two worlds collide when a traffic stop gone wrong brings everything crashing down on her. Having to find a way to reconcile with great loss, she must find a rise above her challenges or risk become a victim herself, of circumstance and her surroundings.
George Tillman, Jr. has directed and produced a few decent movies but nothing comes close to what is seen in The Hate U Give. This is the type of movie that will make you not want to get up for a bathroom break or concession refill. The story is engrossing and touches on many poignant topics, so you can just forget not becoming emotionally attached. Amandla Stenberg in her split world dilemma. The struggles that she deals with feel real and audiences with carry with them the burden of what she’s dealing with. Her acting is extremely convincing. Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby, Anthony Mackie, Common and Algee Smith, to name a few, all give great supporting performances throughout. It takes a village and this village of professionals do a great job of pulling their weight.
The Hate U Give will fill you with all kinds of strong emotions. Fear. Anger. Disbelief. Outrage. Empathy. Sadness. Pride. The message is received loud and clear. This is the type of cinematic experience that will have you leaving the theater questioning everything that you thought you knew. George Tillman, Jr. presents an unflinching look inside what so many have to deal with as “everyday life” while an even greater number of people are completely obvious to what are common occurrences in our country. The first step in making a change is to acknowledge the fact that there is a problem. This film should open more than a few eyes while also providing an entertaining experience along the way. Please check The Hate U Give out in theaters. You won’t regret it.
