An Examination of Reactive Attachment as a Result of Structural Trauma in "The Hate U Give"
Sunday, May 17, 2020
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
My essay examines the condition of reactive attachment in the character Starr from the novel The Hate U Give. Reactive attachment is often attributed to children who are raised in abusive environments; however, as Starr’s caregivers are neither neglecting nor abusive, the character lacks the often critical criteria to fit the diagnosis of reactive attachment. I contradict the assumption that the symptoms of complex trauma in this character are products of acute PTSD brought on by witnessing the murder of her friend, Khalil, at the hands of a white police officer. Using my analysis of this novel, coupled with the research of Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD; Alexandra Cook, PhD; and others, I connect Starr’s symptoms reactive attachment to her transitions between her majority black neighborhood, and her school, an upper-class, predominantly white environment. I argue that structural racism creates an unconsolidated identity in Starr and individuals like her in our society. Furthermore, I examine how these two locations and groups of people, which should be a source of comfort and support, function as a form of binary opposition in the aftermath of her acute trauma.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to identify their biases about racist structures and their potential to cause complex traumas.
Participants will be able to give examples of other structures which cause minorities to feel targeted.
Participants will be able to explain the dangers of racist structures as well as the damage which can be caused by Reactive Attachment Disorder.
