If the killing of George Floyd outrage across the country on fire, stepped Author Angie Thomas the masses on the streets of their hometown of Jackson, Miss police brutality protest and racial injustice. Under incandescent chants of “Black Lives Matter” and raised clenched fists in solidarity Thomas, he said he sees something that brought them almost to tears. “When I arrived, one of the first things that were I see young people with the signs that my book cover looked like,” said Thomas Books Editor Lucy Feldman for TIME100 Talk discussion. Thomas’ 2017 debut book includes an illustration of a black girl with curly hair and Jordan, the main character, Starr Carter, a protest emblazoned with the title of the book: Hate U Enter. Their young readers came to replace the demonstration protest signs Mississippi on the book’s title with their messages. “One thing that we see now is [the youth], this power to achieve,” said Thomas. “I know, honored that I can be a microphone for them and even stronger reinforcement.” Among the current calculation of systemic racism and inequality in society, anti-racist literature was fly shelves (virtual) and topping New York Times Bestsellers -List. a crucial step is to address systemic racism, Thomas says the “power of books” exceeds the current social upheaval While many believe that black stories and perspectives to read. She believes that literature can enhance the next generation of leaders. “I believe in the power of books and how young people fit for the future,” says Thomas. “Could I am very confident that we have the best tools to give them, so that you ever imagine the best leader of all of us to be.” The 31-year-old author has experienced the effects of the first-hand books with his novel The hate u give the New York Times bestseller list crowned young adults for weeks and was adapted into a film Amandla Stenberg. In the matter black life inspired the story, trying to navigate Starr Carter, where she grew up and her new private school with mostly white, affluent students. Heikeles a social balance between the black community But after a meeting with police ends killed with his childhood friend, Starr must learn to use their voices to demand justice. The key to equip young audience different stories, says Thomas. Through its fictional characters, he has the YA novelist evidence to create “mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors” so that young people themselves or they can see people instead of looking also to build empathy. taught Given the prevalence of the white Western canon in public schools and universities, it is not hard to see why compassion seems to be missing in generations, took past and present, Thomas noted. “If some of our current political leaders of young people read books that, unlike them, were when they were children, perhaps we would not say, Black Lives Matter, ‘” Thomas said. Thomas tried to help build compassion for black not only rigid but lives with her beloved character Maverick – Starrs loving father. Maverick journey from a life on the road of a family man in love is one that many of their readers. Well, it is the subject of his next “Concrete Rose” novel. Born in Mississippi he believes that much of their audience in resonance with the character because “every day is representing [blacks men] around us.” “I see Maverick symbolizes the greatest number of men and blacks George Floyd,” said Thomas. “For me, Maverick provides many of the young people we lost in this movement in this matter and white life.” Three years after the publication of hate U Enter to continue the reality of many American blacks eco whose members are disproportionately threatened and killed by police. Thomas just hope these echoes seismic waves on young people are those who read his novels – and inspire them to be the change we seek. “If my legacy is that I have inspired the next generation of activists, then I’m happy,” Thomas said. “It is an honor.” Copyright Image
Author Angie Thomas books on how to change the Next Generation, ‘They are realizing their power’
