Chapter 26: Angie Thomas on righting racist wrongs and remembering radicals
Mar 29, 2025
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Angie Thomas, New York Times bestselling author known for her impactful young adult novels, joins the discussion to tackle pressing social justice issues. She reflects on the role of literature in understanding race, emphasizing the need for honest storytelling in YA fiction. Angie also delves into the intersection of faith and social justice, critiques media representation, and shares personal connections to Tupac's work, highlighting themes of resilience and empathy. Plus, she reveals her three formative books that shaped her worldview.
Angie Thomas emphasizes the profound impact of representation in literature, showcasing how relatable characters inspire young readers to see themselves as heroes.
She discusses the importance of exposing young readers to challenging topics like racism and social injustice through literature, fostering a deeper understanding of societal issues.
Thomas highlights the role of honest storytelling and personal connections in navigating the complexities of race relations, amidst a landscape influenced by sensationalist media.
Deep dives
Embracing Representation in Literature
The impact of seeing oneself in literature is profound, as exemplified by Angie Thomas when discussing 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry.' This book resonated deeply with her, being the first time she encountered a character who reflected her own experience as a young Black girl in Mississippi. The connection she felt with the Logan family galvanized her love for reading and eventually influenced her own writing in 'The Hate U Give.' Thomas believes that representation in literature is crucial for young readers to understand that they, too, can be heroes in their own stories.
Navigating Difficult Themes for Young Readers
Thomas explores the challenging topics of racism and social injustice that she incorporates into her young adult novels, drawing inspiration from the works of authors like Mildred D. Taylor. She emphasizes the importance of exposing young readers to harsh realities, arguing that literature can serve as a thoughtful introduction to these issues. Thomas mentions that many young readers appreciate her authenticity and how this encourages them to engage with complex topics. This approach allows children to grasp essential truths about society while still being age-appropriate, fostering a deeper understanding of their surroundings.
Finding Truth in an Age of Misinformation
Angie Thomas argues that in today's world, honest truths can often be obscured by mainstream media, which is driven by profit and sensationalism. She suggests that personal connections and storytelling among individuals can lead to a clearer understanding of reality. Social media plays a dual role, as it can be a source of genuine experiences and truths while also housing misinformation. Ultimately, she believes that authentic communication among people is vital to discovering and sharing true narratives.
The Continuous Battle Against Racism
In discussing the present state of race relations in the United States, Thomas reflects on the persistent issue of systemic racism that plagues American society. She contends that true acknowledgment and discussion of the country’s history with slavery and racial discrimination are essential for progress. Despite advancements, there remains a reluctance to genuinely confront the realities of racism, and this denial hampers healing and understanding. Thomas hopes that by addressing these issues head-on, future generations can cultivate a more equitable society.
The Legacy of Tupac's Poetry
Thomas highlights the significance of Tupac Shakur’s work in 'The Rose That Grew from Concrete' as a testament to the power of perseverance and authenticity. She admires how Tupac’s poetry reflects his personal struggles and triumphs, exemplifying how artistic expression can challenge narratives established by mainstream society. By sharing his raw and sincere thoughts, Tupac shows that beauty and resilience can emerge from even the most difficult circumstances. Thomas connects this theme to her own writings, asserting that celebrating and recognizing the potential within marginalized youth is crucial for fostering hope and change.
Racial tensions, police shootings, citizen uprisings. Does this sound like the setting of a YA novel? How about three of them? Her debut 'The Hate U Give,' her sophomore release 'On The Come Up,' and her third 'Concrete Rose' were all on The New York Times bestseller list, and her fantasy middle school-level book 'Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy' was *also* an instant New York Times bestseller!
In this classic chapter of 3 Books, we sat down together at the busiest hotel in downtown Toronto on the tail end of Angie’s 15-city book tour to discuss how we find the truth for ourselves, when do we bring up harsh realities to kids, and what place media and religion have in society today.
We dive deep into the heightened racial and political tensions today and we search for a way out and, as always, we get to learn Angie Thomas’s three most formative books.
Let's flip the page back to Chapter 26 now...
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