The Twitterverse created #AngieThomasAppreciationDay on Monday to celebrate the work and influence of author Angie Thomas. Thomas' debut young-adult novel "The Hate U Give" shot to the number one spot on The New York Times best-seller list, for young-adult novels. The book inspired an upcoming film adaptation, with the same title, and a star-studded cast including, Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Common and Issa Rae.
People using the hashtag shared ways in which Thomas' work has inspired them. Thomas' "The Hate U Give" tackles racial injustice and police brutality. One author tweeted that Thomas' work is an inspiration for both teens and parents.
"Her words don’t just help the teens who read her books. Her words help their parents," he wrote. "[Thomas] writes books that will help me have hard conversations with my son when he’s older. I don’t have the words, but she does. And I’m so grateful."
Her words don’t just help the teens who read her books.
Her words help their parents.@angiecthomas writes books that will help me have hard conversations with my son when he’s older.
I don’t have the words, but she does. And I’m so grateful. #AngieThomasAppreciationDay
— Eric Smith (@ericsmithrocks) February 5, 2018
The hashtag is timely as it comes amid controversy, surrounding a recently resurfaced video, featuring one of the white cast members. Twitter users called attention to the video of Kian Lawley–a known YouTube personality–saying racial slurs (the video is edited with bleeped out words). Though it's unclear when the video was created or uploaded, Lawley released a statement on Twitter on Sunday, addressing the backlash from the video:
if u don’t learn from ur mistakes, u can never grow as a person.
i’ve learned a lot & i am grateful to have the power to change. i never want to be who i was yesterday. we’re in a constant battle to become a better version of ourselves, use ur voice as ur weapon.
— Kian Lawley (@KianLawley) February 4, 2018
Since Lawley's video resurfaced, it has sparked a lot of online conversation about the video's racist themes. Thomas has also received her share of negative comments. On Monday, Thomas addressed the situation on Twitter. She explained, though the public is in the dark, on the whole situation, more information would be "revealed eventually."
Other Twitter users said the video controversy led to Thomas to receiving backlash, from Lawley's fans:
So, Kidlit folks, please be aware that one of the stars in The Hate You Give movie has been outed as a racist spewing the N-word and now his stans are coming after Angie Thomas. Basically, Kian Lawley is trash and folks are blaming Angie.
— Justina Ireland-Dread Nation 4/3/18????♀️????♂️ (@justinaireland) February 5, 2018
Anyway, I hope y’all will share how The Hate You Give and Angie have impacted your life using #AngieThomasAppreciationDay
Let’s make this something positive.
— Justina Ireland-Dread Nation 4/3/18????♀️????♂️ (@justinaireland) February 5, 2018
While the talk surrounding the video has gained traction, the #AngieThomasAppreciationDay hashtag refocuses attention back to where it belongs — on Thomas and her impressive accomplishments.
Omg, this hashtag ???? #AngieThomasAppreciationDay
— Angie Thomas Doesn't Control Movies (@angiecthomas) February 5, 2018
One author on tweeted Thomas "changed the course" of her life:
So here for #AngieThomasAppreciationDay
Angie Thomas changed the course of my life.
She is the incredible human who made me believe my dreams were possible.
When I read the news about T.H.U.G. I literally thought “because of her I can.”
When I feel down about the (1/2)
— Tomi Adeyemi (@tomi_adeyemi) February 5, 2018
Angie Thomas opens hearts and minds. This weekend she gave a game-changing keynote speech at #NY18SCBWI about race, representation and children’s literature. We are lucky to have her in our community! (Pic is Crystal Allen, Angie & me)#AngieThomasAppreciationDay
pic.twitter.com/H2XQR0Ut98— L Halse Anderson (@halseanderson) February 5, 2018
For #AngieThomasAppreciationDay I want to thank @angiecthomas for writing a book that teaches us non-Americans about racial tensions in the US and for giving us an authentic story about lack of justice.
Also, thanks Angie for making me cry on the plane when I was finishing THUG.
— Diana Pinguicha Connors (@Pinguicha) February 5, 2018
For all the black kids that get to see themselves in literature and see someone like them succeed. To read a book and feel like you matter. To see a book about someone like them sit comfortably at the top of the NYT bestseller list.#AngieThomasAppreciationDay
— Liselle (@lunchtimelib) February 5, 2018
Thomas tweeted she is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
I'm trying to go through and like everything on the hashtag but I'm so overwhelmed ????
— Angie Thomas Doesn't Control Movies (@angiecthomas) February 5, 2018
Keep on shining, Angie!
