Interest Convergence in Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give: A Critical Race Theory Perspective on Systemic Racism and Social Justice

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss the concept of interest convergence in Angie Thomas' novel The Hate U Give (2017) under the scope of Critical Race Theory. This concept is introduced by the eminent scholar Derrick Bell, who proposed that advancements in racial justice take place when they agree with the interests of dominant groups. By applying this concept, the study explores how the novel depicts systemic racism, police brutality, and social activism in contemporary America. The protagonist, Starr Carter, goes through a white private school and her own Black community, which exposes her to the intersections of race, privilege, and activism. The study emphasizes how the events of the novel, especially the event of the community's response to Khalil's death, reveal moments in which Black struggles for justice side with the wider social or institutional interests. Moreover, it criticizes the challenges of interest convergence in achieving equity. The study sheds light on the role of literature in general and Young Adult Fiction in particular in demonstrating systemic inequities and the different ways concerning the issues of achieving social justice.