Don't know what you heard 'bout Angie, but she's a badass, writing T H U G !

Hello readers!
How have we all been? I have been surviving the white wasteland of snow that has has been hitting Vancouver on and off for a month now. I want Spring! I'm not asking for a lot... I don't need lots of heat, or a rainbow of flowers, just maybe some brightness and a warm breeze or two! I am not a snow fan: I can admire it from indoors as it gently falls, or on the mountain should I choose to partake in wintery activities, but then I want it gone. However, shoutout to those two snow days! The snow wasn't so bad when I got to stay home and enjoy it from indoors...and not at work! Furthermore my dog is also not a fan of the frozen sky tears. This is particularly annoying for me, because she won't go to the bathroom if there is a chance her highness will touch snow. This means I often have to dig her a little path, to a section of yard that's also been cleared for her, by me, for her to go out. If not, she will hold it and pretend she's gone...until she does go...on the carpet. 

Thanks Dog. 

 That's where I've been at, but not all bad...As I write this, I have 4 days to go (not including today) until Spring Break! Woooohhhh!!! But to full circle, today, it's meant to snow. Oh Snow, the hate I have to give! Boom! Look at that phrasing to segue into the title of the book I'm talking about today:
Angie Thomas' award winning The Hate U Give!

This book. If you haven't read it, you should. It, deservedly, took the YA genre by storm when it came out. It is powerful, topical, and thoughtful. I don't want to spoil this book, because I want as many people as possible to read it, or watch the 2018 film adaptation...then read it! This book does not actually fit into the Popsugar Challenge Prompts, but as Black History Month ended, I felt the need to re-read it. The issues in the novel, are still very much present today, if anything they might be worse as the world sees rises in dictatorships and right-wing politics. The Hate U Give is about race relations, justice, and speaking up. Starr Carter, our protagonist, lives in two worlds: Her predominantly white, and affluent, prep school and her mostly black, and poor neighbourhood. She talks about her two distinct personalities that come out to navigate each world. Until one day, she is caught in a tragedy that bridges her realms.

I found this book relatable, and think many POC will agree: I know Starr's struggle. I've been Starr navigating two cultures, and been made fun of for it: I've been hit with every version of brown on the outside, "white" on the inside food analogies people have to offer. I've gotten coconut, burnt marshmellow (my favourite for originality), oreo, etc. all because my general personality didn't seem cultural enough for my Indian peers. However, the thing about being "white-washed" is you're still never "white". (For the record, I never thought of myself as "white-washed" or "white" on the inside, I just had different likes and interests from others that didn't fit a stereotypical mold of "brownness". My Punjabi might not be great, but put on some bhangra and see who's singing along and dancing her heart out. Its me.)

See, relatable story. Many POC also know how it feels to be racially profiled (from varying degrees of harmless to harmful): I am sound passing. What I mean by that, is that when I speak, I do so with a Canadian accent. I am treated differently than those who do not have a Canadian accent, despite still being brown. However, I have had people speak to me slowly, assuming I wouldn't understand. Their slowness also comes with an annoyed gruffness (seriously, like 8/10 times! I'm sorry I'm making you do your job, oh wait! No I'm not! Do your fucking job) however that all changes when I respond in very polite, pointed, "unaccented" english. Then I am welcomed. Starr comments on how her language, word choices, and articulation change depending where she is. She explains she has been taught to do so for safety. This is a real thing. Language is powerful, and a sign of belonging. We've actually had two movies come out recently with this idea: BlacKKKlansman (Spike Lee!!!) and Sorry to Bother You  that touch on the benefits and inclusion of "sound passing".

I'm going to rewind a bit on the talking slowly: This only works if the person you are speaking to actually understands english, but is new to it and needs it slowed down for full comprehension (This is a good thing, they are learning and building fluency! Like me with french! Go slow, I'm with you, go too fast, you've lost me) and you're slower out of respect and understanding, not racist assumptions. Please people, do not get louder and slower when it is clear the person you are speaking to does NOT speak any of the language. They will not magically learn!You just look like a dick and a little threatening. Especially don't do this in a place that isn't English speaking. Your privilege shows, and it ain't pretty (Plus the venn diagram of people annoyed a non-english speaking place doesn't speak english, and people who get angry at others for not "learning the language", is almost a full circle).

If you haven't noticed, this book has brought out some personal stories. This is what makes it so strong: It is a universal tale for those who have experienced bigotry, but it is also a way for those who haven't (or at least think they haven't-we have all been judged unfairly based on stereotypes at least once! Right?!) to empathize and (try to) understand. We navigate the world through Starr, who is old enough to know certain realities (She was given "the talk" at 12, no, not that one...the one where your parents tell you how to respond to cops so you don't get beaten or worse), but not old enough to understand all the nuances of them. As she discovers her voice, we do to.

I'm going to leave aside the political bits for a second to mention that Starr is a teenager and she is written like one. She is smart, funny, and aware of the relationships she has with others and herself. Angie Thomas does a beautiful job of writing relationship and describing feelings. Not just the internal ones we have, but the external ones of a place, a gesture, a moment. This book is heavy, but there is tons of hope and care and love and community. It has humour, sorrow, gain and loss, and tons of heart.

I'm not going to say too much more, because honestly, I never meant to say this much! Read the book. Watch out for snow. And have a great day!