Maryam Al-Rubaiee
Mr. Cohen
ENG2D
Sept 17th
Angie Thomas: The Voice Through Storytelling and Activism
Angie Thomas is a notable figure in young adult literature due to her novels tackling topics such as systemic racism, violence that is caused by the police, and issues that affect the black community in general. Novels such as The Hate U Give and On the Come Up are directly influenced by her real-life events and activism in support of social issues. In this article, we will reveal important points in the biography of Angie Thomas, her impact on literature and the themes of her books in relation to her identity.
Life and Early Influences
Angie Thomas is a native of Jackson in Mississippi, which is notable for some of its problems, especially violence against people of colour. These and other factors of growing up in an underprivileged area permeated systemic discrimination for a very young Angie Thomas. At the age of only six, she saw a shootout, something that she carried with her always. This feeling is similarly mirrored in her book, The Hate U Give, where Starr Carter sees the police shooting of her friend. Angie Thomas has stated that she has attempted to create “mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors” (Time) so that young adults of this generation can relate – or see the events people unlike themselves go through – to create some sort of empathy between one another. All of those past experiences are very remarkable as deep-rooted factors that play a fundamental role in her writings.
Homeschooling and Mental Health
During her school years, she was homeschooled for a time because of bullying and mental health problems that stemmed from this very issue. Isolation is a terrible feeling that she experienced in growing up, and so, it records as such in the novels in which various characters have to grapple with emotional imbalance and societal expectations. For instance, in the case of the novel On The Come Up, Bri is all lonely and feels alienated and incomprehensible. She resembles Angie Thomas, a woman caught in between two places, looking different from each of them. Also, the raw portrayal of herself and the mental health issues she has had has helped her develop several characters that strike ruthless and yet familiar chords amongst her reader base who share similar problems and fears.
Writing Influences and Style
In the words of Angie Thomas, Hip Hop culture and music is also present. She used to idolise Tupac, which is why she adopted the words of the phrase “T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E.” in her first debut which revolutionised what she published. She declares, “I continued to write from my heart, telling stories that were true to my experiences and the experiences of my community.” (Was it hard for your writing to get recognition as a black author? Prompt). The culture is perceived by writers not only for what it depicts, but in this particular instance, as an appropriate style of writing. In her words, “My own experiences, as well as the experiences of my friends and family, have been a major source of inspiration for my writing.” (What inspired you to write some of your biggest books? Prompt). This truth is demonstrated through her writing, where, as stated before, such honesty with regards to subjects and feelings is portrayed. Apart from hip-hop, writers such as Walter Dean Myers and Jason Reynolds also encouraged her to write narratives based on the experiences of disadvantaged groups in society. There were no such books that would allow her young black readers to identify themselves, and she believed there should be more. Music and literature coming together, Angie Thomas has managed to form a distinctive style that appeals to a wide range of audiences.
Creating Narratives While Advocating for a Cause
In her perspective, her writing constitutes activism. As she said, “You know, Mississippi is known for two things, racism and writing. And I happen to be a writer who writes about racism.” (Author Angie Thomas Writes To ‘Mirror’ Young, Black Readers.” NPR, 5 Feb. 2019). Her novels are not mere novels; they relate to the prevalent issues in our society. Angie Thomas features her many characters in her books, where controversial issues like police brutality, racism and underprivileged environments are tackled. Her books have been able to fuel debates in schools and communities, whether they were big or small, showing how literature can be a tool for change.
In Conclusion
Angie Thomas is aware of the situation in her life, her inclination towards hip-hop and love for social justice. The books create a space for youth who struggle with racism, identity, or feeling unequal in society. By articulating such social problems drawn from her own life experiences and using her voice as an effective way of creation, she has built a legacy that is still with readers and writers today and will last for many lifetimes.
Work Cited
Angie Thomas, https://angiethomas.com. Accessed 12 September 2024.
Cachero, Paulina. “Author Angie Thomas on How Books Empower the Next Generation.” Time, 6 August 2020, https://time.com/5875827/author-angie-thomas-time-100-talks/. Accessed 18 September 2024.
Gauntt, Barbara. “Mississippi author Angie Thomas receives national award.” The Clarion-Ledger, 6 February 2018, https://www.clarionledger.com/story/magnolia/books/2018/02/06/angie-thomas-hate-u-give-author-receives-national-award/310986002/. Accessed 12 September 2024.
Hibler, Joan. “Angie Thomas | Biography, Books, The Hate U Give, & Facts.” Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Angie-Thomas. Accessed 12 September 2024.
“How do you feel about your books "On The Come Up" and "The Hate U Give" being made into films?” Google Gemini, 1.5 Flash, Google, September 12 2024. https://g.co/gemini/share/231411c29621
Lewis, Tim. “Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give: 'Books play a huge part in resistance.'” The Guardian, 27 January 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jan/27/angie-thomas-the-hate-u-give-interview-famous-fans-readers. Accessed 12 September 2024.
“Interview: Author Angie Thomas Talks 'On The Come Up,' : It's Been a Minute.” NPR, 5 February 2019, https://www.npr.org/transcripts/690391879. Accessed 18 September 2024.
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