The power of stories in educating citizens for the future: How reading The Hate U Give and Noughts & Crosses through the lens of Critical Race Theory can foster Critical Thinking and Ethical Awareness.

Abstract

This thesis examines Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give and Malorie Blackman’s Noughts & Crosses through the lens of Critical Race Theory, demonstrating that this theory can function as a guide when approaching the theme of racism in the classroom. Moreover, I explore the potential of using Young Adult Literature about racial conflict to foster Critical Thinking and Ethical Awareness in students. These skills are emphasized in the Norwegian Core Curriculum and are considered essential for functioning well in society and being good citizens. My findings suggest that both novels are suitable for fostering critical thinking and ethical awareness. Additionally, comparing the novels revealed some implications for teaching, like Noughts & Crosses being more complex and better suited to an older group of students. Generally, applying the lens of CRT uncovered that the novels’ nature as counter-stories fosters discussions and helps challenge the socially constructed image of races. By portraying societies where racism is ordinary and institutionalized, and where progress is restricted to cases of interest convergence between the oppressed and the powerful, they also encourage discussions on the persistence of discriminatory practices hidden in plain sight.