What I learned by Na'ilah

What I learned by Na'ilah - October 2025 Scholarship Essay

One important lesson I learned came from The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. The main character, Starr Carter, taught me the power of using your voice, even when it’s scary. As a first-generation college student who is African American and Muslim, I really connected with her story. Like Starr, I sometimes feel like I’m living in two different worlds. I’m trying to do well in school, support my family, and stay true to who I am, while also dealing with how the world sees me and how I see myself.

In the book, Starr sees her friend Khalil get shot and killed by a police officer. He was unarmed, and he didn’t do anything wrong. After that, Starr has to decide whether she wants to stay silent or speak up about what happened. At first, she’s scared. She doesn’t know if people will believe her or if she’ll be safe. She worries about what others will think of her. Her classmates, her neighbors, even the police.

What really inspired me was how Starr chose to speak out anyway. She went on the news. She marched in protests. She told the truth, even when it hurt. She was afraid, but she didn’t let that stop her. That showed me that being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It means you keep going, even when you are.

That lesson means a lot to me. As someone who is the first in my family to go to college, I feel a lot of pressure to succeed. I don’t always feel like I can speak my mind. Sometimes I feel like I have to keep my head down and just work hard, especially when people don’t understand where I come from. But Starr helped me see that my story matters too. I shouldn’t stay silent about the things that hurt me or my community.

Another thing Starr taught me is that it’s okay to be more than one thing. She lives in a Black neighborhood but goes to a mostly white private school. At school, she feels like she has to talk and act a certain way to fit in. At home, she can be more herself. I feel that too at school, I don’t always feel comfortable talking about being Muslim, or about the two different culture I'm forced to live between, because I’m not sure how people will react. But Starr learns that she doesn’t have to hide parts of herself to make other people feel comfortable. That helped me feel more confident in who I am.

Starr also reminded me that change starts with people who care. She wasn’t a superhero. She was a regular girl who decided to stand up for what was right. That showed me that I can make a difference too. I may not have all the answers, but I can speak up, support others, and try to make things better.

Reading The Hate U Give gave me more than just a story it gave me courage. Courage to use my voice. Courage to be myself. Courage to keep pushing forward, even when things are hard. Starr Carter may be a fictional character, but the lesson she taught me is very real.