Maryam Al-Rubaiee
Mr. Cohen
END2D
October 1st 2024
How is Bri’s identity represented within On the Come Up?
Whether it is through stereotypes pushed onto us from society or through personal expectations, identity is often shaped by the world around us, especially those who are unfortunately diminished by race and class. Angie Thomas’ ‘On the Come Up’ makes sure to explore and speak up about these issues by portraying Bri, a young black girl in a low-income neighbourhood, as she battles with the weight of societal expectations while still striving to define herself on her own terms. Throughout the book, Bri is constantly facing stereotypes that are being pushed onto her, struggles against being seen solely through the lens of her father’s legacy, and ultimately finds her own voice through rap music. Bri’s identity is shaped by her struggle to overcome societal expectations, and her journey to self-discovery shows the conflict of who she is expected to be and who she aspires to become.
Bri’s identity is shaped by the stereotypes that society has pushed on her as a young black girl from a low-income neighbourhood, forcing her to constantly fight against perceptions of her worth.
It's like having a bucket of ice water thrown into my face. Ratchet hood rat. Thousands of people just heard me act like that. Millions more may see the video. They won't care that my life is a mess and I had every right to be mad. They'll just see an angry black girl from the ghetto, acting like they expected me to act. (Thomas 346)
Bri realises the harsh reality of her actions, which are often judged through racial stereotypes. Her anger, which stems from her personal struggles, has been reduced to acting like a stereotypical ‘angry black girl’. Society expects her to fit into the mould they created for her, which leaves Bri often feeling misunderstood. The phrase “Ratchet hood rat,” is a derogatory label to portray someone as unruly or improper, often adding to the harmful stereotypes about people from low-income communities. It’s important to see how dehumanising it is to be in Bri’s position, being compared to a pest and being stripped of her individuality. This phrase perfectly encapsulates how Bri is unfairly perceived in society. Thomas uses a powerful simile to provide a vivid image of how shocked Bri was being compared to that phrase, specifically like it felt like having a bucket of ice water thrown into her face. She sees how the public perceives her, which strengthens the divide between Bri's true self and the image society projects onto her. This is also supported through the usage of the first person narration Angie Thomas commonly uses in her work. It allows us to see Bri's raw, emotional response in real-time, emphasising her vulnerability. This style of writing connects us directly with her inner thoughts, making us feel her frustration. Bri’s encounters with stereotypes is linked to the experiences that Angie Thomas has had of racial stereotyping in society, where young black women often find their identities confined by prejudged notions. This shows the real-world pressures many face, including Thomas, when grappling with how they are seen versus who they truly are.
Bri struggles to create her own identity that’s separate from the shadow of her late father, a famous rapper, while constantly being compared to him.
Can't lie, I'm a tad bit annoyed that he mentioned my dad. I get why, but damn. Whether I'm good or not shouldn't have a thing to do with him. He didn't teach me to rap. I taught myself. So why does he get the credit? (Thomas 34)
Bri is trying to express her frustration with being defined by her father’s legacy rather than her own abilities. She feels that her talent and success are constantly tied to her father, robbing her of the credit she deserves for her hard work.
For the longest, people acted like I was my dad’s clone…But my brother called me a gift. My mom calls me her miracle. If I’m nothing else, I’m her daughter, and I’m Trey’s sister. (Thomas 428)
Over time, Bri’s family helps her realise that her value goes beyond being her father's daughter. They recognize her for who she is, reminding her of her own unique worth. Inside the first quote, we can see that the words "credit" and “clone” summarises Bri's desire for recognition as an individual. It shows that she wants to be seen for her own skills, not as an extension of her father's fame. In the second quote, the use of positive terms, with Bri explaining that she is her mother’s “miracle” and brother’s “gift”. It proves how deeply her family values her beyond her father’s reputation. These terms express their love and belief in who she is, creating a stark contrast to how outsiders perceive her as merely her father’s reflection. The internal monologue, especially in the second quote, shows her own reflections and realisations about her own self. This narration style deepens the reader’s connection to Bri, as it provides an unfiltered view of her struggles and growth, emphasising her emotional journey in defining who she is outside of her father’s reputation. Bri’s struggles may mirror the struggles of many individuals of a late guardian figure in their life who are burdened with the pressure of the legacy they’re forced to live up to. Angie Thomas uses this theme to explore the importance of family, whether they are blood-related or not, and how they’re the only people who truly appreciate your individuality.
Bri finds empowerment and control over her identity through her music, using it as a form of rebellion against societal expectations while asserting her true self. “‘I was supposed to come up here and do this new song, but I’d rather do something from my heart.’” (Thomas 428) Bri chooses to express herself actually through her music, ignoring what others expect of her. By performing a song from her heart, she asserts control over her future and her identity, using music as an art for self-expression. Bri uses the phrase “from the heart” to express that she only wants to use the platform she gained from her song to speak out. She decided that no one could tell her otherwise. The only words out of her mouth would be sincere, not the prewritten lyrics Supreme pressured her into learning. fAngie Thomas uses what we call “colloquialism,” which is also known as informal language, to create a more casual and relatable tone. It works well since Bri is expressing a huge amount of authenticity and vulnerability, emphasising how her lyrics become a direct expression of who she really is, unfiltered and sincere. Since we’re at a pivotal moment in the story, it uses a climactic narrative structure to show Bri's growth. Her choice to perform something heartfelt represents her self-confidence and drive to defy societal expectations, especially as a black girl in the hip-hop industry. Angie Thomas is known for her pursuit in rapping when she was younger. She wrote Bri as a reflection of herself. She, along with other rappers in the hip-hop community, used music as resistance and empowerment.
In On the Come Up, Bri’s identity is shaped by her struggle to overcome societal expectations, and her journey to self-discovery shows the conflict of who she is expected to be and who she aspires to become. The overuse of racial and class-based stereotypes always tries to define her, as shown by how she is unfairly labelled by society. However, through the support of her family and her realisation that she can be more than her father’s daughter, Bri learns to embrace her own identity. By putting her emotions into rap, she effectively controls her life and proves her individuality. Angie Thomas is a brilliant writer, she successfully wrote how personal identity can be a war between yourself and the people who perceive you. Bri’s story is a reminder that while society may try to define who we are, it’s up to us if we want to claim our true selves.
Work Cited
Thomas, Angie. On the Come Up. Walker Books, 2019.
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