The Hate U Give Post Three (page 334) by Sunday, March 17th @ 8:00 p.m.
Please Respond to the following post in at least 250 words:
Chris and Starr have a breakthrough in their relationship --- Starr admits to him that she was in the car with Khalil and shares the memories of Natasha’s murder (Chapter 17). Discuss why Starr’s admission and releasing of this burden to Chris is significant. Explore the practice of “code switching” and discuss how you might code switch in different circumstances in your own life.
In Chapter 17, Starr finally talks to Chris about what's been going on. She tells him about being a witness in Khalil's death, but also how her friend Natasha died in a drive by. In the book you can tell that Starr has a hard time talking about this, so it was very courageous of her to tell Chris. Before she told Chris, they were having a bit of a hard time in their relationship. Chris could tell that something was off with Starr, but he couldn't tell what. Starr telling Chris about what's been going on was a turning point in their relationship. Before Starr told Chris what was going, she was almost acting as two different people: the Starr she was in Williamson and the Starr she was in Garden Heights. What Starr was doing is sometimes called “code switching.” Code switching is when you are different around different groups of people. I do feel like I code switch sometimes. At school, when I am around adults I don't know as well, I am much more serious. Whereas when I am at home with adults I know well, I am much more fun and feel much more comfortable being myself. I do the same things with my classmates as well. My close friends know me so well that I am truly myself around them, but when I am with people I don't know as well, I am much more quiet and reserved. Before this admission Starr had been code switching with the person she loves as opposed to being her true self.
ReplyDeleteWell done. I guess we all do what you describe, Lily––at least to some degree.
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ReplyDeleteEver since Khalil died, Starr has had this huge burden pounding on her heart. She has felt like she needs to keep her friendship with him a secret. This includes not telling her boyfriend, Chris, about her connection with Khalil. After a tough time in their relationship, she doesn’t feel like Chris deserves an explanation but eventually she can’t hold it in anymore, “everything starts spilling out” (301). She tells Chris about Khalil and Natasha and it is clearly very difficult for her. It may seem like Starr doesn’t trust Chris because of how long it took her to explain everything, but even telling someone at all shows an extreme amount of bravery and trust. This must mean a lot to Chris because while she recalls the sad stories just for him, he can see through all her crying that it is a hard topic for her to talk about. Another reason this must be very significant to Chris is the explanation Starr gives for why she won’t tell anyone. She says that “people use it against [her]” (300). She knows that people will treat her differently but she feels like Chris will just treat her the same, no matter the circumstances. Because of how she feels people will view her, Starr does something called “code switching” where she changes how she acts and speaks depending on who she is with. In an earlier response, I explained how I personally don’t feel like I need to do this to feel respected. But now that I think about it a bit more, I realize that I code switch slightly. When I am around my friends, I talk in a way that I would call “how I usually speak.” But when I am around adults or little kids, I am a bit more conscientious of the words I use. Around adults I will do my best to articulate and find the ‘best’ word. And when I am around little kids like when I babysit, I am focusing on my words so I simplify sentences. So in a way, I guess I do code switch, but not as extreme as what Starr does.
Good point about talking to younger kids. I hadn't really given that much thought, but I do that, too.
DeleteThe part where you talked about bravery and trust really does show during the book. Starr clearly likes Chris a lot, they have been together for over a year. The burden that she has to deal with is incredibly difficult to share. I agree that Starr does trust him, it only seems like she doesn’t because of the difficult burden she has. I can easily relate to when you code-switch. I also change how I speak when I am talking to teachers, or little kids. I don’t think code-switching is bad, I think it is necessary to some extent. When Starr code-switches it is more extreme then when you or me do it. Not only does she have to change the way she talk, but she has to pretend like she is someone that she isn’t and has to pretend to be part of a different culture. In Starr’s case I don’t think code-switching is necessary, because as we see in various parts of the book, it agonizes Starr and code-switching itself becomes a burden to her.
DeleteIn chapter 17, Starr makes a huge announcement to Christ when she tells him about witnessing Natasha’s and Khalil's murders. There are a couple of reasons this so very significant. One reason is these are two things that are very hard for her to talk about and it was really hard for her to speak about them to Chris, someone who goes to Williamson. I think that it must have felt really good to talk and get all her feelings out to someone so important to her. Another reason this is very significant is he goes to Williamson and she always acts different around people from there. She tries to not “act ghetto” and she believes that if people knew about losing Natasha and Kahlil or acting the way she usually does, she will give them a reason to think she is ghetto. She acts completely different around different people which is called code switching. She uses this to try and act not ghetto around her Williamson friends, because she doesn't want to be a stereotype. I think that code switching plays an important role in her life, I also think it plays an important role in my life. I use it around family and friends. I act completely different around my family and completely different around my friends. I think that a lot of people do this, acting different around friends and family. I sometimes get lost in which person I am through code switching. I believe that Starr also has this problem. Code switching can be a good thing and a bad thing in that sense, you could lose yourself, but it is also helpful in a way.
ReplyDeleteDanny, I like what you said about Starr not wanting to be a stereotype---I think that's really true. It's also interesting that you note that you can sometimes get lost in which person you are (because of code switching). Well done.
DeleteI like how you transition from Starr being afraid of being called “ghetto” to code switching. I agree with you that she acts different around her classmates because she doesn't want to be a stereotype. Reading your response made me wonder if the people at Williamson view her as a stereotype, they might not view her as the “girl from the ghetto” but they might think of her differently because she is African American. I think that if she acted the way she acted at home or around her friends from Garden Heights, people at school would not view her as ghetto. I think that if she told her peers about Natasha and Khalil most people would support her and she could use the support as a way to spread awareness. I like how you explain how talking to Chris about Khalil’s death helps her. It makes me wonder that if she told him when it first happened she wouldn't have felt the way that she feels. Just like you I act different around my friends and family, now that I think about it I recognize that I do code switch. I agree with you that you could lose yourself code switching. There have been times when I was with my friends then was with my parents and have said something around them I would not normally have said.
DeleteThe above was from SOPHIE
DeleteI agree that this is a hard thing for Starr. I like how you talked a lot about Starr not wanting to be called "ghetto." I also liked how you talked about her not wanting to be a stereotype. When I read through this I wondered what other kids at Williamson would do if Starr revealed all of this to the other students. It also got me thinking about if she just acted like her Garden Heights self at Williamson. What might happen? I can relate to what you said about code switching a lot. I act different around my friends and family, too. We had a similar idea about how talking to Chris about her two friends deaths, helps her and their relationship. By getting all of it out they can trust each other. I feel like our posts are similar in that way, and in the way we code switch. Well done.
DeleteIn Chapter seventeen, Starr opens up to Chris that she was in the car when Khalil was shot. She starts to open up about Khalil and her friend Natasha. However it was very difficult to do this at first because Chris and Starr were going through a difficult time in their relationship. They were going through a difficult time because Chris could tell Starr was hiding something from him but Starr wouldn’t say what it was. However, Chris eventually found out and he didn’t find out from Starr. He found out from the Television program that Starr was intervened on about Khalil’s murder. This hurts Christopher because even though he is her boyfriend it still means to him that Starr doesn’t trust him. However, Chris eventually gets Starr to open up to him. Starr tells him about her past in the projects, her friend Natasha getting shot, and all about Khalil. This moment is very significant in her relationship because Starr is finally opening up to to Chris about what many scarring events have happened in her life. There is a reason it took Starr so long to open up to Chris. She wouldn’t do it because she felt like she had to be a different person around different people. One example is Starr switching “modes” to become Williamson Prep Star. “That means flipping the switch in my brain so I’m Williamson Starr.” Being Williamson Starr is like this. “ Williamson Starr doesn't use slang—if a rapper would say it, she doesn't say it, even if her white friends do. Slang makes them cool. Slang makes her “hood.” Williamson Starr holds her tongue when people piss her off so nobody will think she's the “angry black girl.” Williamson Starr is approachable. No stank-eyes, side-eyes, none of that. Williamson Starr is non confrontational. Basically, Williamson Starr doesn't give anyone a reason to call her ghetto.” What Starr does is called code switching. She acts like a different person around different people or in different places. Many people code switch. I do it myself. I act different around my teammates than around my classmates who I don’t play sports with. I act differently around one friend than another. Another example of when I code switch is when I am around adults that I know well, or adults that I don’t know well. Usually when I code switch, the difference between the two situations is acting quiet and reserved. Also I won’t usually speak much. However when I am with the other group of people, I will speak more, laugh more, and not sink into the shadows
ReplyDeleteI liked how specific you were, Mack, in why she code switches––especially the example about not wanting to be the "angry black girl." Good examples.
DeleteI like how you use the term "flipping the switch". I think it's a good way of showing how Starr looks at "code switching". Then you started calling her Williamson Star to show the difference between her personalities, which I thought was smart. You showed a lot of detail of who Williamson Starr was, and how she wasn't "ghetto". I also like the example that you made of you acting different around your teammates and classmates. I never thought of that before. When you said, "there is a reason it took Starr so long to open to Chris", I compared it to what I was trying to say with my blog. I think it might have been because Chris is white, and maybe she didn't think he would understand. I feel the same way with adults sometimes, "quiet and reserved". Overall I really like the work you put into describing Williamson Starr.
DeleteWhen Chris and Starr went to the prom, it seemed like Chris was ignoring her. He was acting this way because he found out that Starr was with Khalil when he got killed. I think Chris was mad because he felt like Starr didn't trust him. I don't think Chris realized how badly this affected Starr and that she was still trying to get over it. Starr also decides to tell Chris about Natasha and how she died. Starr gets very emotional, and I think she was glad to finally tell the truth to Chris. I also think Chris was happy because he knows that Starr will trust him now. While they were talking in the Rolls Royce, Starr told Chris that he was her normal. I think she was trying to say that when she is with Chris she can be herself. Starr said, "I've taught myself to speak with two different voices and only say certain things around certain people. I've mastered it." p301. I guess you could compare what Starr was doing to "code switching". It basically means that you alternate the way you talk depending on who you're having the conversation with. Everyone does this, because no one talks to a teacher like there their best friend. You kind of have to do this to be socially acceptable, because different ages need different amounts of respect. Although I think it becomes a problem when it changes from respect to trying to fit in. Which is what I'm pretty Starr has done. There are more common forms of "code switching" than others.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting point you make, Connor, about some people doing this to be socially acceptable. I think that is probably why some people do it and I hadn't really considered that point.
DeleteIn Chapter 17, Starr and Chris are at prom. Starr talks to Chris about Khalil's death, and how she was the one in the car who witnessed his death. She also tells him the story about how her other best friend Natasha, died when they were younger. This is important for a number of reasons. For starters Chris and Starr have been through a lot. In the beginning we know their relationship isn't the greatest. Chris is upset because Starr won't open up to him about Khalil. He knows something is wrong, and eventually finds it out, from the TV program. This hurt Chris, but he got her to open up to him. When Starr shares all of this with Chris, it changes their whole relationship. Starr has built up enough trust to tell someone who means so much to her, the truth about why she is so emotional about Khalil's death. Chris also goes to Williamson, and Starr thinks that opening up about this to a guy who goes to Williamson, might change the way he sees her. Meaning that everyone at Williamson knows Starr as "Williamson Prep Starr". Where she doesn't use slang, and is approachable. But opening up about her two best friends deaths, and how they died, people might have another reason to call her "Ghetto". Chris and Starr's relationship is a whole lot more functional now. Starr is able to trust Chris now, and Chris knows more about Starr now. Code switching has been a part of my life since about the beginning of middle school. I act one way in front of my friends, or teachers, and another way towards my family. I code switch depending on who I am talking to. If the person is close with me and gets my humor, I would just be myself. However, if it is someone I've never met, I act very different.
ReplyDeleteGood points, Liam. I like that you referred to someone who "gets" your humor as someone you didn't need to code switch for. Kind of funny.
DeleteFrom Sophie
ReplyDeleteStarr has been going through a lot, keeping the secret of Natasha and Khalil’s death from all but a few people has been hard for her. But she thinks she will be viewed differently if people knew that she was the witness from Khalil's death. It was prom night at Starrs high school Williamson, prom happened to fall the day after her interview aired. Chris picked Starr up from her uncles and they headed to prom. After being there for a short while Chris and Starr have a little fight and Starr decides she wants to leave. Starr locks herself in her boyfriends car and ignores him. He then asked her “Why didn’t you tell me you were the witness they’ve been talking about?”(pg 298) Starr is positive that he knows. As they begin to talk about it Starr realizes that she shouldn't have kept the stuff about being the “witness” from Chris. She feels that she cannot tell people because they will either treat her as a “charity case” or use it against her. She doesn't want to be treated or seen as the girl from the ghetto. It seems that she is “code switching” from this girl that lives in the hood and has friends there to this pretend version of herself. It seems to me that I code switch when I am talking to one of my really close friends and to a friend that is not as close. When I am with a very close friend I say or joke about some things that I wouldn't do around a not as close friend.
Sophie, I like your reference to the "pretend" version of Starr. I think that's a good way to look at it.
DeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog response. I found that we had a lot of similarities between our two posts, which I thought was really cool. I 100% agree with you that Starr has been going through a lot and it has been a super rough time for her. I also agree with you that Starr is afraid of how other people will view her if they find out she was the witness. And I think that is what is causing her to keep it to herself for so long and not tell important people in her life like Chris. However, you mention that Starr feels like she shouldn't have kept this a secret from Chris. I don't think that Starr shouldn't have kept it a secret, but rather she should have had more trust in Christ. I understand that Starr didn't want to be seen as the girl from the ghetto but I think that Starr wishes she trusted Chris more in this situation. In your blog post you mention that you code switch between your good friends and people you don't know as well. I also mentioned that I do the same thing in my blog post. It’s really neat to hear that I am not alone and other people feel like they do the same thing.
DeleteChris finds out that Starr is the witness in the media. Starr tells Chris everything about her life that she has kept a secret, Natasha’s and Khalil’s death. Starr felt she had a burden because she wasn’t there for Khalil when he got caught up in drug dealing, she believed she could have talked him out of it. Starr never realized it, but she was acting different when she was with Chris even though she thought she was acting normal with him. Starr has obviously changed the way she acts whenever she is in Williamson Prep. She doesn’t want people there thinking she is the angry black girl, or the girl from the ghetto. So she tries to change the ways she acts and speaks. This is known as “code-switching” , where a person changes the way they act depending on a certain situation. For example, I talk with my buddies way differently then when I socialize with my grandma. I definitely wouldn't want my grandma listening to the music I listen to with my friends. This can also be applied to school, or in business environments. I would speak to my colleagues and teachers way differently than if we were not in a classroom. Starr grew up in the projects and in poverty, there is no surprise that she would act differently to Chris. Since Chris’s family is part of the upper class, I believe Starr tries to hide her background and parts of her life that could never relate to Chris.
ReplyDeleteI like your comment, Elliott. I think that some of the reason she hides her identity is related to economics. She's trying to hide the parts of her life that she thinks Chris could not relate to. It's a good point.
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