Nala Cyriac
Mr. Cohen
ENG2D
September 17th 2024
Angie Thomas: A Voice for the Voiceless
Introduction
Angela Thomas, commonly known as Angie, is an award-winning American author born in Jackson, Mississippi. Over the years, she has written many critically acclaimed novels, earning her praise for her skillful depictions of difficult topics. Her first novel, The Hate You Give, was an instant success; receiving the number one spot on the New York Times bestsellers list shortly after its release in 2017. Recognized for her unique authenticity, having dealt with many of these subjects first hand, she approaches them with a compassionate and hopeful lens that aims to inspire perseverance through adversity.
Early life
Angie Thomas did not have an easy childhood. Born on September 20th, 1988, she was raised by her mother, Julia Thomas, and grandmother in a predominantly African American neighborhood where they lived in poverty. During an interview with The Guardian, she states: ”We were living off the benefits my grandmother received and, even with that, there were days when we didn’t know if we’d have enough food.” (Lewis, Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give: 'Books play a huge part in resistance’)
At an early age, she was exposed to drug dealing and gun violence and even struggled with mental health brought on by bullying. Despite all of this, she was able to cope by finding solace in books and music. Thomas elaborates on her experience in a recent interview:
Growing up in a predominantly Black neighborhood, I witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by my community. Yet, amidst these challenges, I found solace in books and the power of storytelling. They provided a way to escape my reality and explore different worlds. It was during these early years that I discovered my passion for writing and the potential it held to give a voice to those who were often overlooked. (How would you describe your childhood? Prompt)
Her love of music was also an influential part of her life as she dabbled in rapping as a youth. She gave a few performances and even conducted some interviews for radio and newspapers, with her mother acting as her manager. As she says, “Hip-hop was there for me when it felt like the rest of the world wasn't.” (Rocque, Interview: 'On The Come Up' Cast and Creators Talk About The Hip-Hop Coming of Age Drama)
She eventually dropped her music career in favor of pursuing an education. This is when she went on to study creative writing at Belhaven University where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2011. Once she graduated, she found employment as a secretary to a bishop at a megachurch in her hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. While working at the church, she nurtured her love of literature, using her spare time to craft a novel of her own: the one that would subsequently jump start her career.
Her Work
Thomas has always had a love of books, ever since an early age, and while working at the church, she discovered that she had quite the talent for it as well. As per her biography, “The Hate U Give grew out of a short story that Thomas wrote as a student in 2009 following the killing of Oscar Grant.” (Hibler, Angie Thomas) In her spare time, she developed the novel until it was ready to be published and she submitted the work to the nonprofit organization We Need Diverse Books, which awarded her one of its five inaugural Walter Dean Myers grants in 2015. This resulted in a bidding war between publishing agencies before finally being acquired by HarperCollins. The Hate You Give was then officially published in 2017 to critical and commercial acclaim; receiving multiple accolades including the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for fiction and being named a Coretta Scott King Honor Booknand. It was then developed into a movie the following year to positive reviews. It follows 16-year-old Starr Carter, an impoverished African American girl attending a predominantly white suburban private school where she must mirror the style, behavior, and expression of her peers in order to fit in. This book details racism, prejudice, and police brutality as our main character must navigate her grief at the loss of her friend at the hands of a white police officer. In 2021, Thomas continued her dive into the world of this book by releasing a prequel entitled Concrete Rose.
Two years after coming off the success of her first book, Angie Thomas released her next novel, On the Come Up. It explores the life of Brianna, another 16-year-old girl with aspirations of becoming a rapper to get her family out of poverty while also examining themes of double standards, racism, and resilience. This book was also positively received by critics, leading it to also join the New York Times bestsellers list like with its predecessor.
Inspiration
While examining the life of Thomas herself, it is very easy to draw comparisons between her own experiences and the ones that she depicts in her novels. It is no secret that she uses her life experiences as inspiration for her stories, and expands upon them to spark conversation, break stereotypes, and bring light to these issues. When asked how she thought these experiences influenced her work, she said:
Growing up in a predominantly Black community in Jackson, Mississippi, I was exposed to a world of resilience, determination, and a deep-rooted sense of community. These experiences have shaped my characters, their struggles, and their triumphs. Additionally, witnessing the impact of systemic racism and inequality on my community has fueled my desire to use my writing as a platform for social change. I want to give a voice to those who are often marginalized, and to explore the complexities of race, class, and identity. (How did your early life influence your writing down the road? Prompt)
It is because of these values and beliefs coupled with her genuine depiction of these struggles that her work continues to stay relevant and universally respected.
Conclusion
Angie Thomas skillfully uses her personal experiences to craft impactful narratives that explore themes of racism, poverty, and resilience. Her debut novel, The Hate You Give, and subsequent works such as On the Come Up and Concrete Rose have garnered critical acclaim and resonated with readers worldwide. Through her writing, she provides a powerful platform for marginalized voices and inspires hope in the face of adversity. Her ability to blend personal authenticity with compelling storytelling has solidified her status as a significant contemporary author.
Works Cited
“About Angie.” Angie Thomas, https://angiethomas.com/about/. Accessed 17 September 2024.
Hibler, Joan, and William L. Andrews. “Angie Thomas | Biography, Books, The Hate U Give, & Facts.” Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Angie-Thomas. Accessed 17 September 2024.
“How did your early life influence your writing down the road?” Gemini, Google, https://gemini.google.com/share/continue/7cf6c7bae4ee. Accessed 17 September 2024.
“How would you describe your childhood?” Gemini, Google, https://gemini.google.com/share/7cf6c7bae4ee. Accessed 17 September 2024.
Rocque, Starr Rhett. “Interview: 'On The Come Up' Cast and Creators Talk About The Hip-Hop Coming of Age Drama.” BET, 23 September 2022, https://www.bet.com/article/jr0j95/interview-on-the-come-up-is-bringing-storytelling-back-to-hip-hop. Accessed 17 September 2024.
Jacobs, Kathy. “Mississippi Author Angie Thomas – The Hate U Give.” Mississippi Writers and Musicians, 21 September 2018, https://www.mswritersandmusicians.com/mississippi-writers/angie-thomas. Accessed 17 September 2024.
Lewis, Tim. “Angie Thomas, author of The Hate U Give: 'Books play a huge part in resistance.'” The Guardian, 27 January 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jan/27/angie-thomas-the-hate-u-give-interview-famous-fans-readers. Accessed 17 September 2024.
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