#AngieThomasAppreciationDay Roundup
You probably know Angie Thomas as the bestselling New York Times author of The Hate U Give. You might also know it as the movie that’s to be released later this year, starring Amandla Stenberg as the main character. The Hate U Give made quite a splash in bookish circles ever since it debuted, both because of Angie Thomas’ skills as a writer and the important and timely topic of #BlackLivesMatter that the book tackles. In fact, The Hate U Give was one of Bookriot’s Best Books of 2017.
Earlier this week, controversy arose when a video surfaced of the actor and YouTuber Kian Lawley using the ‘n’ word. It was especially controversial since Kian plays Chris in The Hate U Give movie. However, instead of holding Lawley accountable for his actions, many of his fans chose to attack Angie on twitter instead.
Thankfully, Angie has made such a mark on the book community, that people began to tweet their support for Angie through the hashtag #AngieThomasAppreciationDay. The tweets came from fellow authors, aspiring writers, and readers alike. Many of them recounted what Angie means to them, while many tweeted about what The Hate U Give means to them. I’ve rounded up a few of the best tweets here and I would remiss to not include my own tweet, considering what The Hate U Give and Angie Thomas mean to me, as a reader, writer, and a woman of colour in the book community:
The toxic friendship between Starr and Hailey in THUG is the first time I saw something like that on media. As someone who has had to make decisions about how to deal with racism in friendships, it meant a lot to me to read that. #AngieThomasAppreciationDay
— Adiba Jaigirdar (updates) (@adiba_j) February 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/brownbookworm/status/960534883410968577
So here for #AngieThomasAppreciationDay
Angie Thomas changed the course of my life.
She is the incredible human who made me believe my dreams were possible.
When I read the news about T.H.U.G. I literally thought “because of her I can.”
When I feel down about the (1/2)
— TOMI (@tomi_adeyemi) February 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/ElleOnWords/status/960508918727434240
It's #AngieThomasAppreciationDay!
THE HATE U GIVE shows teens they are always main characters, no matter what others may say.
This book is everything YA should be: brave and powerful and full of heart.
Thank you @angiecthomas pic.twitter.com/hBxwqy9sfW— Brooding YA Hero (@broodingYAhero) February 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/stampepk/status/960517160530563072
Angie Thomas opens hearts and minds. This weekend she gave a game-changing keynote speech at #NY18SCBWI about race, representation and children’s literature. We are lucky to have her in our community! (Pic is Crystal Allen, Angie & me)#AngieThomasAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/H2XQR0Ut98
— Laurie Halse Anderson (@halseanderson) February 5, 2018
Reasons to love Angie Thomas:
– Modern classic book at #1 on Times list pretty much since it came out.
– Best smile on a YA author I've ever seen.
– Loves her mama.
– Supports friends.
– Takes all the BS and keeps on shining.
#AngieThomasAppreciationDay— Sandhya/Lily Menon is not really here (@smenonbooks) February 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/KosokoJackson/status/960523176143810561
Not only is THE HATE U GIVE a beautiful book written with humor and heart—it's also a reminder that yes, you can be a main character. Yes, you can use your voice to make a difference. And yes, you matter. Thank you for a book that's changed lives 💕 #AngieThomasAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/RjpCvqTPgr
— Epic Reads 🍂 (@EpicReads) February 5, 2018
For all the black kids that get to see themselves in literature and see someone like them succeed. To read a book and feel like you matter. To see a book about someone like them sit comfortably at the top of the NYT bestseller list.#AngieThomasAppreciationDay
— Liselle Sambury (she/her) (@LiselleSambury) February 5, 2018
This was 2 years ago. I was a newbie author who was at the crossroads of her pub journey: give up, or go for it. I told Angie a post of hers inspired me, & I never thought she'd reply. But she did, & I didn't chicken out. Thanks, Angie ❤️ #AngieThomasAppreciationDay pic.twitter.com/eg8IQjt9Zo
— Gail D. Villanueva ✨mostly updates only✨ (@gaildvillanueva) February 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/SierraWritesYA/status/960530142799060992
https://twitter.com/missdefying/status/960627016008683522
Angie Thomas is not only one of the strongest writers I know, but one of the strongest people. She has revolutionized YA as we know it with her talent, perseverance, and bravery. She deserves more than this world could ever give her.#AngieThomasAppreciationDay @angiecthomas
— kav | my girls are HERE send emotional assistance (@xreadingsolacex) February 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/JennyPerinovic/status/960622637922836480
https://twitter.com/robyn_lucas/status/960546253422678017
Angie has provided so much for teens, especially Black teens, with THUG. She’s given us hope, representation, a damn mirror, acceptance, more pride and so much more.
I can never thank her enough for her writing.#AngieThomasAppreciationDay
— vika (@endlessyarning) February 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/amandajoywrites/status/960544985904017409
As part of my workshop on writing cross-culturally, I read aloud THE HATE U GIVE so writers grasp the power of #ownvoices and of an artist drawing so deeply and truthfully from lived experience. I'm moved to tears every time.
Thank you @angiecthomas #AngieThomasAppreciationDay
— Tiffany Liao (@Tiff_Liao) February 5, 2018
All my son used to read were white characters by white ppl. I gave him #THUG, it's his favorite book. It became the gateway to "Long Way Down" and "Dear Martin".
Thanks, @angiecthomas for a gorgeous book that has impacted us more than you'll know. #AngieThomasAppreciationDay
— Fatin Marini (@FatinMarini1) February 5, 2018
Getting to read about simple things like soul food and having white friends as a black girl in a genre that I love for the FIRST TIME means more to me than words can describe.
Thank you so much, Angie.#AngieThomasAppreciationDay
— Jordyn ⭐️📚 (@jthebibliophile) February 5, 2018
https://twitter.com/KatCho/status/960512384011063302
Here’s what Angie had to say as she saw the hashtag trending:
Omg, this hashtag 😭 #AngieThomasAppreciationDay
— Angie Thomas (@angiecthomas) February 5, 2018
This #AngieThomasAppreciationDay is so overwhelming in the best way 😭. Thank y'all for being a balm in the midst of a lot of pain.
Some good news: I just saw the final cover for #OnTheComeUp and 😭
— Angie Thomas (@angiecthomas) February 5, 2018
And if you want to support Angie and The Hate U Give, here’s a great way to get the novel into the hands of kids from diverse backgrounds:
A great way to honor #AngieThomasAppreciationDay would be to get The Hate U Give into even more classrooms. I'm donating in the link below. Consider joining me or positing other projects like this that you can find!https://t.co/ADXD4teRU7
— Brian D. Kennedy (@bdkennedybooks) February 5, 2018
