“I've seen it happen over and over again: a black person gets killed just for being black, and all hell breaks loose. I’ve tweeted RIP hashtags, reblogged pictures on Tumblr, and signed every petition out there. I always said that if I saw it happen to somebody, I would have the loudest voice, making sure the world knew what went down. Now I am that person, and I’m too afraid to speak.” FearRacePoliceSocial MediaAfrican AmericansBlacksPolice BrutalitySpeaking UpBlacklivesmatter Book:The Hate U Give Source: The Hate U Give
“The black officer checks Daddy while his partner glances around at all of the onlookers. There's quite a few of us now. Ms. Yvette and a couple of her clients stand in her doorway, towels around the clients' shoulders. A car has stopped in the street. "Everyone, go about your own business," the white one says. "No, sir," says Tim. "This is our business.” PoliceAfrican AmericansBlacksPolice BrutalityInstitutional RacismWitnesses Book:The Hate U Give Source: The Hate U Give
“Has this situation made you fearful of cops?" she eventually asks. "I don't know," I say truthfully. "My uncle's a cop. I know not all cops are bad. And they risk their lives, you know? I'm always scared for my uncle. But I'm tired of them assuming. Especially when it comes to black people.” FearRaceRacismPoliceAfrican AmericansBlacksPolice BrutalityAssumptionsCopsInstitutional Racism Book:The Hate U Give Source: The Hate U Give
“You mean when you called Khalil a drug dealer?" He nods. "Even if he was, I knew that boy. Watched him grow up with you. He was more than any bad decision he made," he says. "I hate that I let myself fall into that mind-set of trying to rationalize his death. And at the end of the day, you don't kill someone for opening a car door. If you do, you shouldn't be a cop.” DeathPoliceDrugsAfrican AmericansBlacksPolice BrutalityRationalizationDrug Dealers Book:The Hate U Give Source: The Hate U Give
“One-Fifteen sits on the sidewalk with his face buried in his hands. Other officers pat his shoulder and tell him it'll be okay. They finally put a sheet over Khalil. He can't breathe under it. I can't breathe. I can't. Breathe.” MurderPoliceOfficersAfrican AmericansBlacksPolice BrutalityShootings Book:The Hate U Give Source: The Hate U Give
“It would be easy to quit if it was just about me, Khalil, that night, and that cop. It's about way more than that though. It's about Seven. Sekani. Kenya. DeVante. It's also about Oscar. Aiyana. Trayvon. Rekia. Michael. Eric. Tamir. John. Ezell. Sandra. Freddie. Alton. Philando. It's even about that little boy in 1955 who nobody recognized at first--Emmett. The messed-up part? There are so many more. Yet I think it'll change one day. How? I don't know. When? I definitely don't know. Why? Because there will always be someone ready to fight. Maybe it's my turn.” HateChangeRacismActivismAfrican AmericansBlacksPolice BrutalityInstitutional RacismThe Hate U Give Book:The Hate U Give Source: The Hate U Give
“I have to think about that one for a minute. “Everybody’s pissed ’cause One-Fifteen hasn’t been charged,” I say, “but also because he’s not the first one to do something like this and get away with it. It’s been happening, and people will keep rioting until it changes. So I guess the system’s still giving hate, and everybody’s still getting fucked?” Daddy laughs and gives me dap. “My girl. Watch your mouth, but yeah, that’s about right. And we won’t stop getting fucked till it changes. That’s the key. It’s gotta change.” A lump forms in my throat as the truth hits me. Hard. “That’s why people are speaking out, huh? Because it won’t change if we don’t say something." "Exactly. We can't be silent." "So I can't be silent.” HateSilenceRacismPoliceActivismAfrican AmericansBlacksPolice BrutalitySpeaking OutInstitutional Racism Book:The Hate U Give Source: The Hate U Give