The Kids Hope Alliance is using a book some deemed controversial to start conversations about serious issues in Jacksonville.
Dozens of teens from around Duval County met at KHA and the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation to get their very own copy of the "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas.
The students also watched the book’s movie and held discussions on issues in Jacksonville.
KHA tells Action News Jax they’re trying to promote literacy and encourage kids to be honest about their experiences.
"The Hate U Give" was a New York Times bestseller and was later adapted into a movie by 20th Century Fox that hit theaters in October 2018.
The story depicts the killing of an unarmed black teen by a white police officer and follows the life of his friend, Starr Carter, during the fallout. Students like Danyel Clark tell Action News Jax they found similarities between the movie and their communities in Jacksonville.
“Making people aware and talking about things that happen in the city is one way to fix the problems,” she said.
Not all school districts in America see the story’s value, as some banned the book due its depiction of drug use and profanity. Action News Jax asked Kids Hope Alliance CEO Joe Peppers why this story would be a good starting point.
“We wanted to make sure we paint a full picture and take away, strip away the invisible fences that exist between our community and our civic leaders and servants,” said Peppers.
The Kids Hope Alliance says tonight’s event may not be the last of its kind.