I know absolutely zero about movies, so I don’t have any fancy review to share on this incredibly powerful and painful film. But I DO know that I’m so thankful to Hold the Line Magazine for giving me the opportunity to step outside of my echo chamber and spend the evening weeping, laughing, and screaming in a theater jam-packed with 130+ people that I used to consider strangers. And to Grit Coffee to providing us a space to sit with all of the complicated feelings and thoughts that The Hate U Give brought out, and to learn from each other. It was an experience that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.

I was texting with my brilliant and gracious friend Mack last night after the event, and he said, “It is the America that many people deny exists. It is the America that WE are working to transform. Don’t worry – WE will change minds.” WE. YOU can be a part of WE. Read The Hate U Give. (Need a copy? Shoot me a message, I’ve got you covered.) See the movie. Do it with an open mind, and bring people that see the world differently than you do and challenge your ideas. Talk afterwards. More importantly, LISTEN afterwards. WE have an opportunity here, if we choose to use it.