Why you need to read ‘The Hate You Give’ as a Montessorian

I read The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas last year and recently reread it and its sequel. Considering the current social justice climate, I think it is a good one for everyone to read. But if you’re a Montessorian, I think there is an extra need to do so.

   

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (affiliate links included)

First, as Montessorians, we are (or should be) interested in social justice. It is a piece of who we are and who Maria tried to be. [And yes, I acknowledge that she did have some of her own problems, but also believe that she evolved and still would be evolving today.] I strongly felt so may emotions while reading this and gained a deeper understanding of how Black people are feeling right now.

I also think it is important to read because it really gets into how Starr feels like she needs to act differently at her private school than in her own neighborhood. And a lot of the kids at her school throw out microaggressions without realizing it. As I read this, I felt like I began to better understand what a friend of mine had gone through during her private school years. Perhaps some of your students have been going through the same? I don’t think we often realize how difficult it can be for children of color in our primarily white private school programs.

Now, maybe your school is more diverse. And that’s great. The ones I have worked at, though, have been primarily white in both staff and students.

I also recommend reading this and then watching the documentary American Promise. The two together are really eye-opening for those of us who work in private programs.

If you work with older students, this could also provoke some excellent conversations with your students. Give it a read and then let me know what you think.

Read my review at Andi’s Young Adults Books.