Warriors Dont Cry Analysis

The Struggles Of Melba

In the novel Warriors Don´t Cry, by Melba Pattillo Beals describes one young girls struggle to integrate in a horrifically bigoted community in the 1950s civil rights movement. For example, Melba voluntarily puts herself on the front line of the battle in Little Rock. After arriving for school the first day they are turned away by the national guard called out by the governor of Little Rock. This book is a timeline of hurtful events in her life during integration.

Although many people may believe Melba was not successful in her struggle for freedom, in reality she was a success because despite all the horrible events that occurred during her time at Central High she still managed to go through a whole year at that school. Grandma India told Melba that she should look upon herself as a warrior of god. ¨
For example, ¨ You would have to tell those boys who did this, thank you.¨ Grandma India teaches Melba to say thank you instead of being a victim so Melba learns to smile and meet every outrageous abuse with a polite “ Thank you.” In addition Melba was concerned about taking part of the integration “ I was living with concern - preparing to take part in the integration of Central High School.” Melba did not know for sure if she wanted to go through with the integration process but overall to the black community Central High had symbolized a place of better education but also all the barriers the little rock nine would break if they were to attend an all white school. Central High School was more than just getting nine black kids into an all white school, it was about giving black people as a whole the same opportunities whites