Empowerment Theory

An explanation of empowerment theory and it's role in 'The Hate U Give'

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CHIKA - My Power [Official Audio]

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Zimmerman is one of the leading theorists for empowerment theory. This model shows the three domains of Zimmerman's psychological empowerment theory: interactional, behavioral, and interpersonal. This specific image focuses on you empowerment and is a good example when thinking about Starr in T.H.U.G. as she built self esteem, community engagement, leadership, had adult mentors, and found her own voice to make change. (Zimmerman 2015, Zimmerman 2000)

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This model is based on John Lord's (1993) literature review and summation of empowerment. Throughout the empowerment process, the individual can move through the different stages of empowerment. For example, at first, Starr felt social isolation, stuck between Garden Heights Starr and Williamson Starr. Later in the book Starr initiates participation by speaking up at the protest and telling her story.

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"Black Jesus, watch over my babies today. Keep them safe, steer them from wrong, and help them recognize snakes from friends. Give them the wisdom they need to be their own people." -- Maverick Carter

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Rainforest - Noname

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"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud." - Coco Chanel

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Freedom (Theme from Panther) - Various Artists

We will not bow down to racismWe will not bow down to injusticeWe will not bow down to exploitationI'm gonna standI'm gonna standNow this is

"Now is the time for free your mind and your soul, half the story has never been told" - various artists.

One-fifteen, the DA, the media, etc. places the burden on Starr to tell the truth of what happened to Khalil because the truth wasn't being told, only one side of the story was. She was experiencing anxiety, depression, and PTSD from having the visions in her head of Khalil being shot, her feeling guilty for not speaking out as the witness, receiving death threats, and facing two different worlds. All she needed was a free mind.

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The NASW Code of Ethics states the primary mission of social workers is to “enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty” (2017). The empowerment theory is very consistent with the values and ethics of social workers, specifically with attention to empowerment of vulnerable and oppressed populations. In reference to THUG, Starr is intertwined between the negative stereotypes and stigma as a Black girl speaking out and the oppressive systems around her, trying to demean her voice. In the role of empowerment, she needed those around her (her support system) to help empower her to use her voice. While this theory addresses oppression, discrimination, and marginalization, it also falls in line with the person-in-environment perspective. Starr’s “two-world” environment had a huge influence on who she was as a person and as an activist. She faced the issue of being harmed or killed for sharing information about the night Khalil got shot and why he was dealing drugs. She experienced problems with “Williamson Starr” as she found it hard to escape reality and be herself. She experienced problems with “Garden Heights Starr” when she wanted to get away from reality and forget about what happened. All in all, this theory aligns with how social workers promote empowerment within clients and what factors are included that may or may not interfere.