Angie Thomas Quotes

Powerful Angie Thomas for Daily Growth

About Angie Thomas

Angie Thomas was born on February 18, 1988, in Jackson, Mississippi, USA, where she still resides today. She is an accomplished author who gained significant acclaim with her debut novel, "The Hate U Give" (2017). Thomas's writing is deeply rooted in her experiences growing up in the rough neighborhoods of Jackson and her passion for storytelling was fostered by her mother, a voracious reader. Thomas began her literary journey by self-publishing a novella titled "Cottonmouth" on Wattpad, an online community for writers, which garnered thousands of readers and critical acclaim. This led to her being discovered by a literary agent and eventually landing a deal with Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. "The Hate U Give," which centers around a black teenage girl named Starr Carter who witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend Khalil by a police officer, has become a modern-day classic and has sparked important conversations about race relations in America. The novel was adapted into a motion picture in 2018, further cementing Thomas's impact on contemporary literature. In October 2020, Thomas released her second novel "On the Come Up," a story that explores themes of poverty, ambition, and identity through the life of Bri Jackson, a young rapper striving for success in hip-hop. The book was met with widespread praise and critical acclaim, underscoring Thomas's ability to tackle complex social issues through captivating and relatable storytelling. Thomas continues to inspire readers across the globe with her compelling narratives that shine a light on underrepresented voices in contemporary literature. She is an unwavering advocate for social justice and the importance of empathy, using her platform to speak out against racial injustice and champion diversity in media.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Just because we're supposed to be the same on the inside doesn't mean we'll be the same on the outside."

This quote by Angie Thomas highlights the diversity and individuality that exists within us all, despite our shared human nature. It suggests that though we may share common emotions, thoughts, and feelings, our external expressions of these inner experiences can vary greatly due to factors such as culture, upbringing, personality, and life experiences. This quote encourages understanding, empathy, and acceptance of others' differences, reminding us that everyone has a unique story to tell.

"The only difference between the enslaved and the free is opportunity."

This quote by Angie Thomas emphasizes that while there may appear to be differences in status between people who are considered 'enslaved' (oppressed, marginalized) and those who are 'free', the primary distinction lies in the opportunities available to each group. It suggests that despite external conditions or circumstances, the potential for growth, development, and empowerment is equally present within everyone, and access to opportunities is a crucial factor determining success and freedom in life. The quote encourages us to recognize and strive towards creating equal opportunities for all individuals.

"I don't want your silence, I want you to acknowledge that my pain matters."

This quote emphasizes a powerful desire for empathy and recognition. The speaker is saying they do not seek silence or avoidance from others regarding their pain; instead, they yearn for validation that their emotional experiences are important and significant. By acknowledging another's pain, we demonstrate understanding and compassion, fostering stronger connections between individuals. This quote resonates deeply with the human need to be heard, understood, and valued in our interactions with one another.

"We all have a responsibility to stand up for what we believe in, even if it makes us uncomfortable."

This quote from Angie Thomas emphasizes the importance of personal conviction and standing up for one's beliefs, regardless of any discomfort or inconvenience that may arise. It suggests that each individual has a moral obligation to use their voice and actions in support of what they deem right, promoting courage, integrity, and active engagement in shaping society.

"I might be a girl, but I can still be fierce."

This quote by Angie Thomas emphasizes that one's gender does not limit their capacity for strength, bravery, or power. It encourages girls to express themselves fiercely, challenging societal norms and expectations. The quote reminds us that regardless of our gender, we all have the potential to be strong-willed, resilient, and assertive individuals who can make a difference in our world.

You just have to find your activism, and don't let anyone tell you what that should look like. If you're doing the work, and you're getting someone to think, you're on the right path.

- Angie Thomas

Doing, Think, Like, Right Path

From my anger, frustration, and hurt, I wrote the short story that would later become 'The Hate U Give.'

- Angie Thomas

Frustration, Give, Wrote, Hurt

Of course, my mom is my biggest and loudest cheerleader, and my family and friends are happy for me, but I'm still just Angie, not Angie-the-author-with-this-hyped-up-book. I appreciate that.

- Angie Thomas

Happy, Mom, Still, Loudest

I think, as a writer, sometimes you do worry, 'Am I just writing, or am I putting the burden of African-Americans on my shoulder and carrying it?' But if we just write the stories that we're supposed to write, that's when we have the biggest impact.

- Angie Thomas

Sometimes, I Think, Putting, Shoulder

At 7, I was shooting 3s with so much ease that the guys at the neighborhood park were impressed. Michael Jordan was one of the best humans to walk the earth in my eyes, third only to Jesus and my mother.

- Angie Thomas

Ease, Michael Jordan, Jordan

At the time when I was in college, Oscar Grant had just lost his life in Oakland, Calif. He was an unarmed young black male who had a record. And at the time when his death was making headlines, more people were talking about what he had done in his past than the fact that he unjustly lost his life.

- Angie Thomas

Death, College, Fact, Grant

Especially for young POC, when we enter majority-white spaces, we feel the need to assimilate, to blend in, to prove ourselves. I don't think we discuss it enough.

- Angie Thomas

Think, Young, Prove, Spaces

My maternal grandmother was a star on her high school basketball team in small-town Mississippi.

- Angie Thomas

Team, Grandmother, Star, Small-Town

Trayvon Martin was 17, Mike Brown was young, Tamir Rice was 12. And so young people are affected by it, possibly the most affected, because they're seeing themselves.

- Angie Thomas

Young, Brown, Mike, Possibly

Literature births activists.

- Angie Thomas

Literature, Activists

When I was in college, I lived in a mostly black, poor neighborhood. That's where I grew up, but I attended a mostly white upper-class school in conservative Mississippi. I was often very aware of how I presented myself.

- Angie Thomas

College, Very, Attended, Neighborhood

The transition from unknown to known-in-publishing has been empowering but also challenging. It's an honor to know that people actually want to know what I think about certain issues, but I also have to be careful about what I say or, rather, how I say it. The Internet is forever, y'all.

- Angie Thomas

Been, I Think, Rather, Transition

Initially, I wanted to write middle grade. YA scared me: there's a lot of responsibility in being a YA author. It's so important to give that age range the right books that reflect their world and show them themselves.

- Angie Thomas

Show, Range, Ya, Scared

I want you to realize your voice matters.

- Angie Thomas

Voice, Want, Matters, I Want You

I knew there were calls for diversity in children's lit, but you always wonder as a person of color, how diverse is too diverse?

- Angie Thomas

Color, Always, Knew, Diverse

I really do hope 'The Hate U Give' provides mirrors for readers who don't often get them in books. I've had so many young black girls tell me just how thrilled they are to see someone who looks like them on the cover. I hope that they see themselves in the pages as well.

- Angie Thomas

Young, Tell, Had, Thrilled

A lot of people involved in the Black Lives Matter movement are actually sticking up for those other lives. They are turning out for their Muslim brothers and sisters who are now being targeted.

- Angie Thomas

Other, Muslim, Lives, Targeted

The way you speak should not determine your intelligence. I should be able to say 'lit,' and you still know I'm intelligent. I should be able to say 'turn up,' and that doesn't take away from my intelligence. I wanted to break down that stereotype a little bit.

- Angie Thomas

Turn, Away, Your, Stereotype

For me, hip-hop was a mirror when young-adult books were not. I could see myself in a Nas song more than I could see myself in a book.

- Angie Thomas

Mirror, Song, Could, Hip-Hop

We see organizations that target young black men to give them direction in life, but so often, black girls are missed. I wanted to represent them.

- Angie Thomas

Missed, Young, Give, Represent

I often say that I want to write like Tupac rapped. I could listen to his album, and within a few minutes, I could go from thinking deeply to laughing to crying to partying.

- Angie Thomas

Like, Within, Could, Laughing

I'm not sure I could ever write for adults. That's not to throw shade or anything, but I feel like teenagers are much more open-minded and willing to listen sometimes.

- Angie Thomas

Like, Could, Sure, Shade

Bent Literary Agency had a Q&A on Twitter, and I took a chance and asked if the Black Lives Matter movement was an appropriate topic for a YA novel. Brooks Sherman, who is now my agent, responded that he didn't think any topics were inappropriate for YA. I remember being so terrified even just sending the tweet.

- Angie Thomas

I Remember, Appropriate, Inappropriate

I've always been a huge Tupac fan, and I often listen to him for inspiration or when I'm stuck.

- Angie Thomas

Always, Been, Tupac, Stuck

As a black woman, I feel like I have a unique experience that we don't often see in media portrayals of the South.

- Angie Thomas

Woman, Like, South, Unique Experience

We're seeing young people find their own voices and find their activism.

- Angie Thomas

Seeing, Young, Young People, Activism

I look at books as being a form of activism. Sometimes they'll show us a side of the world that we might not have known about.

- Angie Thomas

Sometimes, Might, Side, Activism

I wish when I was 15 that I realized my voice was important and that even my thoughts and my opinions had value. Had I known, I probably would've spoken up more. I probably would've found my activism sooner and become a writer sooner.

- Angie Thomas

Voice, Wish, Had, Activism

Writing is a form of activism.

- Angie Thomas

Writing, Form, Activism

Art is activism.

- Angie Thomas

Art, Activism

I wanted to write a book like a rapper would write it - I didn't want to hold back. Rappers catch a lot of slack; I'm not going to be cursing up a storm, but when I look at Nas... his first album is one of my favorites. I want to tell stories like that.

- Angie Thomas

Book, Tell, Favorites, Rapper

The Hogwarts houses are really gangs. They have their own colours, their own hideouts, and they are always riding for each other, like gangs.

- Angie Thomas

Always, Other, Like, Colours

When you say, 'Southern,' or you speak about a southern accent, there's always that drawl, and usually from white people. That's what people associate with the South. But we're all different. The black southern accent is different.

- Angie Thomas

Always, Southern, South, Accent

Literature plays a huge role in examining difficult real-life issues.

- Angie Thomas

Literature, Role, Plays, Real-Life

I wrote 'The Hate U Give' as a short story while I was in college at a mostly white school in conservative Mississippi.

- Angie Thomas

College, Give, Mostly, Mississippi

Basketball requires discipline. So does writing. Basketball requires practice. So does writing. Basketball requires resilience. So does writing.

- Angie Thomas

Basketball, Practice, Does, Requires

I think the more we see more officers holding each other accountable, the more we will see people trust cops in this country.

- Angie Thomas

Trust, Think, Accountable, Officers

In the YA community, we are fighting for you and alongside you. When you make your voice heard, we're gonna be even louder on your behalf. That's definitely what I would like for teenagers to know. We've got you. We got you. I promise we do.

- Angie Thomas

Voice, Fighting, Promise, Ya

YA does a fantastic job of being socially aware and, at the same time, entertaining.

- Angie Thomas

Same, Aware, Entertaining, Ya

When I was in the YA age range myself, I didn't feel like there were a lot of books for me.

- Angie Thomas

Myself, Like, Range, Ya

Representation makes a difference.

- Angie Thomas

Difference, Makes, Representation

A lot of people are quick to say that saying 'black lives matter' makes you anti-cop. All lives should indeed matter, but we have a systemic problem in this country in which black lives do not matter enough.

- Angie Thomas

Country, Which, Systemic, Saying

Michael Brown - when he lost his life, there was more focus on what he had done sometimes than what was done to him.

- Angie Thomas

Focus, Sometimes, More, Brown

So often, blackness is seen in a negative light.

- Angie Thomas

Light, Negative, Often, Blackness

I wanted to have a book that showed there's no one way to sound black. I wanted to tell teens that the way you speak is okay; you're good the way you are.

- Angie Thomas

Book, Sound, Tell, Okay

I think that the more of us who take the time to understand how someone else is feeling, the more likely we are to resist alongside them.

- Angie Thomas

Think, I Think, Likely, Alongside

When I was a kid, if you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer was easy - the next Lisa Leslie.

- Angie Thomas

Kid, Next, Grew, Leslie

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