Melba Essay
Mei Li Langstaff
Elliott
Melba Essay
First Draft
12/14/14
A Fight For Freedom
Mei Li 1
Segregation between the whites and blacks was a major problem, especially during the mid1900’s. In 1957, a major change was being made which began a long and difficult battle, that changed segregation forever. One person in particular, named Melba Pattillo, was a great example of the courage, determination and perseverance that was required to fight the battle.
Throughout Melba’s journey to fight segregation, her grandmother and faith in God were her greatest weapons.
In 1957, Melba Pattillo was sixteenyearsold and preparing for her integration into Little
Rock Central High School, an all white school. She was continuously tormented by teachers and students while attending, but her grandmother's words and her faith in God is what keeps her going. An instance in which her grandma’s words were very influential, was when Melba reminded herself of her grandma's advice when faced with a barrage of nasty words. “I squared my shoulders and tried to remember what Grandma had said: ‘God loves you, child; no matter what, he sees you as his precious idea.’” As a result of remembering those words, Melba went courageously to her next class and ignored the nasty words shouted at her by classmates.
Melba writes in her journal, “There seems to be no space for me at Central High. I don’t want integration to be like the merrygoround. Please, God, make space for me.” Melba was becoming discouraged and was realizing that integration was far more difficult than she originally thought, yet she still had a strong faith in the Lord and asked for his help, knowing that he will provide for her.
Mei Li Langstaff
Elliott
Melba Essay
First Draft
12/14/14
A Fight For Freedom
Mei Li 2
Another time where her grandma helps her, was when Melba was in gym class, where her classmates taunted and jeered her. She ignores them, but as it
Elliott
Melba Essay
First Draft
12/14/14
A Fight For Freedom
Mei Li 1
Segregation between the whites and blacks was a major problem, especially during the mid1900’s. In 1957, a major change was being made which began a long and difficult battle, that changed segregation forever. One person in particular, named Melba Pattillo, was a great example of the courage, determination and perseverance that was required to fight the battle.
Throughout Melba’s journey to fight segregation, her grandmother and faith in God were her greatest weapons.
In 1957, Melba Pattillo was sixteenyearsold and preparing for her integration into Little
Rock Central High School, an all white school. She was continuously tormented by teachers and students while attending, but her grandmother's words and her faith in God is what keeps her going. An instance in which her grandma’s words were very influential, was when Melba reminded herself of her grandma's advice when faced with a barrage of nasty words. “I squared my shoulders and tried to remember what Grandma had said: ‘God loves you, child; no matter what, he sees you as his precious idea.’” As a result of remembering those words, Melba went courageously to her next class and ignored the nasty words shouted at her by classmates.
Melba writes in her journal, “There seems to be no space for me at Central High. I don’t want integration to be like the merrygoround. Please, God, make space for me.” Melba was becoming discouraged and was realizing that integration was far more difficult than she originally thought, yet she still had a strong faith in the Lord and asked for his help, knowing that he will provide for her.
Mei Li Langstaff
Elliott
Melba Essay
First Draft
12/14/14
A Fight For Freedom
Mei Li 2
Another time where her grandma helps her, was when Melba was in gym class, where her classmates taunted and jeered her. She ignores them, but as it