Khalil was not a King Lord. In the book “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, it is revealed that Khalil had actually refused to join the King Lords when he was alive. This information is brought to light by DeVante, who was also a former member of the King Lords gang.
DeVante explains that King had tried to recruit Khalil into the gang, but Khalil had turned him down. Khalil didn’t want to get involved in the dangerous and criminal activities that the King Lords were known for. He wanted to stay away from that lifestyle and make something better for himself.
However, after Khalil’s death, King lied at his funeral and portrayed him as a member of the King Lords. King did this to save face and maintain his reputation within the gang. By claiming Khalil as one of their own, King hoped to maintain control and respect from his fellow gang members.
It is also revealed that Brenda, Khalil’s mother, had stolen from King. In order to pay off Brenda’s debt, Khalil started selling drugs. This was a desperate measure taken by Khalil to protect his family and keep them safe from the repercussions of his mother’s actions.
So, while Khalil was not a King Lord, his association with the gang was mainly due to his mother’s actions and his willingness to do whatever it took to protect his family.
The revelation that Khalil was not a member of the King Lords adds another layer to his character and the choices he made. It shows that Khalil had aspirations for a better life and was willing to distance himself from the gang, even though he got caught up in their affairs through unfortunate circumstances.
Khalil’s story in “The Hate U Give” portrays the complexities of life in a neighborhood plagued by gangs and crime. It sheds light on the difficult choices people have to make and the impact these choices can have on their lives.