The Hate U Give (Movie Edition)

Poster from the AMC Pavilion in Charlotte, NC

*Disclaimer*
There may be spoilers in this post. If you haven't seen the movie, or read the book, you may want to wait before you read this post.

With that being said, I haven't yet read the book. I will read it soon though. The previews for this movie tell you the turn of events, so you know that the lead role, Starr, witnessed a police shooting of her friend and is the only witness. What the previews don't tell you is how much TRUTH is being told. Again, I haven't read the book so I can't compare the theatrical release to the book just yet.

My sister and I cried just about the entire movie. I mean blinding tears. Not with ugly sobs, because we were in a movie theater, but if the lights had been on...

I think this is a movie that everyone needs to see. Black, white, young, and old. Maybe it will make some hurt that you have lived through return, maybe it will give you insight on how being black is often considered being a weapon, or maybe it will make you evaluate the way you respond to events outside of your own community or comfort zone. Maybe it will make you not reply #AllLivesMatter in response to #BlackLivesMatter. Maybe it won't change a single thought you have.

I must say that Russell Hornsby played the shit out of his role. If I could give him an Oscar or Image Award for best supporting actor I would. I believed him. I believed this story. I felt the hurt that we have felt so many times behind African Americans being gunned down senselessly by police officers. I felt the hurt of non African American friends using hashtags to their own selfish benefits and not really caring about the cause. I have disassociated myself from people that don't get it. I have aligned with people that do.

The casting was amazing. A few times I wanted to straighten up Regina Hall's lacefront, but still. The emotions were raw and real. Anthony Mackie was a bad ass and the role fit him. Issa Rae is body goals! Amandla Stenberg is phenomenal. The entire case was phenomenal!

"The Hate U Give Little Infants Fucks Everybody." - Tupac's Thug Life concept was driven home in the most heartbreaking ways. 

There was a very strong Nike presence that was all in your face. I'm here for it. I still stand with Kap.

Image courtesy of Google.com

This movie shows the hurt, the struggle, the fear, the discrimination, the injustice. Go see this movie. It matters. We matter.

XOXO,
RoJo