“What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?”

This review might get deep because I feel like there's so much I have to say.
What can I say? This book has so much power and pain in it.
When reading this book, I got anxious and nervous. It crazy how we all kind of knew where the book is going to end up. Because we have seen it, heard it and talk about it. It's something all of the society is aware of.
The characters in the book felt real. Like they were out there somewhere living just like I did. Well to think about it, there are people like Starr's family right now definitely.
Starr character shows many sides of her. Brave, Fear, Confident, Anxious, Lovely, Loyal and more.
She may not be perfect or have her flaws but just like what her mom says, outweigh the good than the bad. So she did just that. Even though she's scared she needs time to speak out. And that speaks out to everybody. We need to realize people who gone through what Starr did or anything that requires them to fight for their right. We need to give them time and space. We can't just go straight into them and ask them all the details immediately. They are humans too, they have feelings. And these people need support and motivation to ease their fear. And that's where Starr's family came in.
I love their family so much I felt like they were mine.
I love this part especially:
“No, Lord,” Daddy says.

“Yes, Lord,” says Momma.

“No, Lord.”

“Yes.”

“No, amen!”

It is true blood is thicker than water.
No matter where life gets you, you can always count on your family.
I laugh, I cry, I laugh and cry harder reading the family scenes.
I love their bonds, their relationships, and not forgetting their jokes.
However sometimes it breaks me a little, in no matter what the family had to go through, they remain strong and never forget to keep on living and move on and see the bright side of life. Which makes me think of the real world. What people have to got through yet never give up. I give so much respects to all of them.
The story has so much power, message, and awareness of the problems in our society today.
I like how the story not only touch only Khalil's situation but also other problems like Starr's friendship with her friends, her boyfriend.
I also like it shows the side on Seven's side of his problems and what he has to go through.
What the family has to go through.
And mainly what Starr has to go through on her own (meaning the battle with herself, dealing with confidence and fear.)
This scenes and situations bring awareness on the side of the story we don't really get to see.
Hence we became more aware and understand.

I am so fortunate to live in a place where I wake up and not afraid to go out of my house.
However, how long will that stay if problems like these somewhere in another place doesn't stop and get solved?
I may not face situations like Starr's face but I will fight by using my voice, bringing awareness and educating myself and others.
All of us can do that. Even if it's a small help.

“looked me in the eye and, said, ' Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right.”

We know how sometimes media put a different picture to the society hence we hate the media on it.
And I'm taking my degree in media. So sometimes it got me thinking. But I say no, I will use my skills to put on what's right. It may not make a major difference but it's still a start.
And that's where the aim of this book is important. WE HAVE OUR VOICE, AND WE NEED TO USE IT.
And maybe we all can start by recommending this book to others.

“Brave doesn't mean you're not scared. It means you go on even though you're scared.”