Khalil Harris Character Analysis in The Hate U Give Essay Sample

Khalil’s involvement in crime shows the poverty cycle he was born into. At the beginning of the novel, Khalil is brutally murdered by a caucasin police officer. The media is quick to portray him as a heartless drug dealer. In Angie Tomas’, The Hate U Give, Khalil and his backstory strongly represent the poverty and crime cycles, specifically in African American communities.

Khalil was set up to be a part of a life of crime through his mother's actions. During DeVante and Starr’s conversation about Khalil, DeVante reveals to Starr the reason Khalil sold Drugs. DeVante stated, “Look, his momma stole some shit from King. King wanted her dead. Khalil found out and started selling to pay the debt.” “Yeah. That’s the only reason he started doing that shit. Trying to save her.” (237) DeVante inferred that Khalil would absolutely have not sold drugs if his mother did not steal from Khalil. He showed that Khalil only sold drugs to protect his mother from King. In Starr’s interview with Mrs. Carey, Mrs. Carey was surprised that Khalil was not a gang member. Starr promptly stated,  “He never wanted to fall into that type of life.” (288) Again, Starr emphasizes that selling drugs was not something he wanted to do, but rather a consequence of his mother’s actions. Although Khalil was set up to take part in a crime and poverty stricken life, people often still viewed him as a cold-hearted criminal.

Starr had trouble comprehending the situation Khalil was in that made him sell drugs. When Starr was with Ms. Rosalie and Maverick, her assumptions that Khalil was selling drugs were proven true. She quickly became enraged that he would do such a thing. Star thought, “But I swear I wanna cuss Khalil out. How could he sell the very stuff that took his momma from him? Did he realize that he was taking somebody else's momma from them?” (64). Starr thought this very angry, like she was yelling at him directly. This represents her rage that Khalil was selling drugs, as it further harms her community as well. After DeVante told Starr the reason that he resorted to selling drugs, she felt awful. She stated, “This was worse than denying him. I thought the worst of him. Like everybody else.” (237). Although Starr knew selling drugs is not right, she was able to understand why Khalil did it. Starr saw that in the situation he was put in by his inadequate upbringing, it was somewhat more justifiable that he would sell drugs. Although Starr understood why he sold drugs, she was still skeptical at the beginning of the novel. Khalil was set up from his birth to be a part of a life of crime by the actions of his parents. Similarly, millions of children in the U.S. struggle with the same situations.

According to The National Institute of Justice, “Family members of incarcerated individuals are often referred to as "hidden victims"”. The NIJ refers to the family members of imprisoned people as “Hidden victims” because of the consequences they had to face because of their family member’s actions. Khalil’s mother was a struggling drug addict who was involved in criminal activity, and her action of stealing money put Khalil in the postion to sell drugs. According to the Center for American Progress, “Family separation as a result of parental incarceration takes a toll on a child’s social, emotional, physical, and educational well-being as well as on housing stability. These children are six times more likely to be justice involved during their youth”. Although Khalil’s mom did not go to prison during the novel, he still faced the effect on his well-being. Khalil shows the effects that parental incarceration and crime can have on their child during their lifetime.

Khalil was put in the position to lead a life of crime and poverty because of his mother’s actions throughout her life. He also gives insight into how lives can be almost pre-determined based on how parents act. Khalil strongly represents the crime and poverty cycle in African american communities in America.