The ‘Hate U Give’ by Angie Thomas originated as a book, but the film adaptation has been a smash box office hit.

Following the life of fictional character Starr Carter, the movie dives into her complex, double-sided life.

Starr is born and raised in the predominantly poor black neighborhood of Garden Heights, but attends an upper class predominantly white private school, Williamson Prep.

She lives with her loving family in Garden Heights with the community she loves. At Williamson, Starr is apart of the basketball team and has a white boyfriend named Chris, whom she loves but is hesitant about showing him the personal part of her life.

Starr deals with the complexities of being her true black self at home, while switching that off once she gets to school.

This all comes crumbling down when Starr witnesses the tragic murder of her longtime African American friend Khalil by a white police officer.

Soon Starr has to choose between speaking out against injustice or remaining silent and out of the public eye.

The Hate U Give is an amazing film addressing real race relations between the White privileged and Blacks at the bottom.

The film features Amandla Stenberg as Starr, and many other actors like KJ Apa, Algee Smith, Common, Regina Hall, Sabrina Carpenter, Russell Hornsby, Issa Rae, and many more.

The storyline and actors were able to make the audience feel a deep sense of sorrow, warmth, and anger during the two hour film.

It thankfully lacks the cliche love story, although it is a story about a teen growing up, and the hesitant address of racial prejudice still is very prevalent in modern society today.

For many African Americans going to see this film, it is extremely relatable to actual issues going on in their communities like drugs, police brutality, and general financial issues.

The film also shines light on the White privilege many whites possess, and misunderstandings between the cultural aspects of black and white lives.

In a way, Starr is forced to grow up faster because of the tragic event she witnesses, and the movie is able to capture her experience so that the audience witnesses a true star being born.

As a 16-year-old African American girl myself, I can relate to Starr. I also attend a predominately white school being amongst the few blacks there and relate to the cultural differences when I’m with my friends compared to when I go home to my family.

Actor Amandla Stenberg makes the character amazingly realistic with her raw and emotional acting skills. Stenberg takes the character and becomes one with her. Stenberg not only helps with making the character universal, but she also makes Starr compel the audience to hang on to her every word.

Everyone in America should go see ‘The Hate U Give’ to experience a true story of real life events that plague society while also witnessing love and loss in the life of an American teenager.