Double Lives and Code-Switching: The Hidden Struggles in 'The Hate U Give'

What It Really Means to Live Between Two Worlds

For Starr Carter, the protagonist of ‘The Hate U Give’, life is a constant performance. At home in Garden Heights, she’s one person—relaxed, authentic, surrounded by family and friends who understand her. At school, she’s someone else—careful, reserved, hyper-aware of how she’s perceived by her mostly white classmates. This phenomenon, known as code-switching, is a survival strategy for many people of color, especially those navigating spaces where their identities are marginalized.

Code-switching goes beyond language; it’s about adapting behavior, appearance, and even interests to fit in or avoid conflict. For Starr, this means hiding parts of herself—her grief, her anger, her love for sneakers and hip-hop—depending on her surroundings. The psychological toll of this constant shifting is immense, leading to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and the fear of never being truly seen.

Angie Thomas masterfully captures these nuances, allowing readers to empathize with Starr’s struggle and recognize the broader societal forces at play. The novel doesn’t offer easy answers, but it does provide validation for those who live similar realities. By bringing code-switching to the forefront, Thomas invites important conversations about authenticity, acceptance, and the right to be one’s full self in every space.

‘The Hate U Give’ is a powerful reminder that identity is complex and multifaceted. Through Starr’s journey, readers are encouraged to question the expectations placed on them and to seek out communities where they can be wholly themselves. In a world that often demands conformity, the novel champions the courage it takes to live authentically—and the healing that comes from being truly seen. 1 3