Answer:
In "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas, the author challenges traditional gender roles by presenting strong female characters who are independent, assertive, and outspoken. The author believes that women and girls should be given the same opportunities as men and boys, and that they should be empowered to speak up for themselves and others.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author chose to make the protagonist of the book a girl, named Starr, to show the struggles and benefits that come with being a young black girl in a society that is often discriminatory towards women and people of color. Through Starr's experiences, the author demonstrates how she navigates complex issues of race, identity, and justice while also dealing with the pressures of being a teenage girl.
Being a girl provides Starr with a unique perspective and voice in the context of the book. She is able to challenge the toxic masculinity that is often present in her community and advocate for her beliefs in a way that is both powerful and relatable. At the same time, she also faces obstacles because of her gender, including pressure to conform to traditional gender roles and societal expectations.
The author chose to make the victim, Khalil, a boy to show the struggles and benefits that come with being a young black man in a society that often stereotypes and criminalizes black men. Through Khalil's experiences, the author highlights the dangers and injustices that black men face in America, including police brutality and systemic racism.
Because Khalil was a boy, he faced certain struggles in the context of the story that were related to his gender. He was automatically seen as a threat by some of the police officers because of his race and gender, and he was subjected to profiling and harassment because of these perceptions. However, being a boy also provided Khalil with a sense of power and agency in a society that often privileges men over women.
Overall, the author challenges traditional gender roles in "The Hate U Give" by presenting strong and empowered female characters while also highlighting the struggles and benefits that come with being a young black man in America. By doing so, she shows that gender and race intersect in complex ways that require nuanced and thoughtful approaches to justice and equality.