The Hate U Give

Regina Brent, President and Founder, Unity Partnership
(THUGLIFE) TuPac
“The Hate U gave Little infants can F..k uP Everybody!"thor

I attended a screening of the movie, “The Hate You Give,” hosted by the Neuqua Valley PATHS. PATHS is an organization within the school system working to improve academic achievement and leadership among African American students.   They do a fine job. The movie is controversial in that it highlights the violent treatment of police towards blacks residing in the urban communities.  It portrays the killing of a young black man, Khalil, at the hands of a white police officer who shot him because he thought Khalil reached for a gun. In the end, the movie takes a turn by focusing more on black on black crime instead of on the traffic stop incident.
 
The young lady portrayed in the movie, Starr, had experienced the loss of a childhood friend prior to losing Khalil. Also, she’s torn between two worlds, her peers from the upscale prep school she attends, and the poor neighborhood in which she lives. Her family is close knit and aspires to leave their roots behind to provide a better life for their children. However, her father insists that they remain…it’s home. After Khalil’s death, Starr feels she must eventually take a stand against the white world and stand up for her race, the African-American community...”no more,” she says, “no more.”  And yet despite her efforts, the officer gos free, but drug dealers are arrested and sentenced to jail.
 
I was impressed with the panel discussion, which focused on how to build strong characteristics while living and dealing with unfamiliar space.  However, there were several issues that were not addressed that could shine a light on how systemic deprivations play a heavy role in the entire community. 
There were additional panel discussions planned for the next day with other students which may have included some of these.  To paraphrase Tupac, the hate you give a youngster can eventually mess up everybody. Our young people need to know how not to fall in such a trap. We, as a people must teach our children how to love, to know their history, and to share with them how we overcame many obstacles.  There was a remarkable turnout at the screening, and those students who attended received extra credit. In the end, I appreciated the effort of the coordinators and thoroughly enjoyed  the event. The saddest part about this movie is Khalil should have obeyed orders.