Brief Summary Of Melba Patillo Beals 'Warriors Don' T Cry

"Warriors Don’t Cry" is a memoir written by Melba Pattillo Beals, one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of black students who play a pivotal role in desegregating public schools in the United States. Melba recounts her story as a black teenager attending Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. She begins by describing her early life, mentioning her birth on Pearl Harbor Day and her family. Growing up, Melba is well aware of the pervasive racial inequality that affects her daily life. On May 17, 1954, the US Supreme Court strikes down school segregation. One day, Melba volunteers to integrate Central High School on a whim. During a visit to Cincinnati, a northern city, Melba is shocked to experience a sense of freedom. She describes

I feel free, as though I could soar above the clouds” (Patillo Beals 21). In response to lawsuits filed by segregationists to halt integration, the State National Guard is sent to Central High School. However, their purpose is unclear—whether to protect or prevent the black students. Later, the guards were removed. After facing a violent mob on the first day of school, Melba wants to quit, but her grandmother insists she isn't a quitter. Each black student has their own escort from the 101st Airborne Division who protects them. Eventually, the soldiers are withdrawn, leaving the nine students to rely on themselves for security. The isolation deepens as the black students feel obligated to, heighten their sense of vulnerability in the face of relentless verbal and physical attacks. Minnijean is suspended when she accidentally spills hot chili on two white bullies. She returns before being suspended again and finally expelled. Melba befriends Link, who saves her from her biggest bully, Andy. Mother Lois nearly loses her job because Melba won't be withdrawn from Central High

Link, the son of a wealthy white family, serves as Melba’s secret savior, assisting her discreetly due to his fear of openly defying violent segregationists and becoming an outsider. His perspective on black people is shaped by his close relationship with Nana Healey, a coloured person who used to work for Link’s family until illness forced her to stop. Witnessing Nana Healey's kindness and warmth, Link understands that other Black individuals may also possess these qualities. Her death deeply affects Link, and he tries to persuade Melba to flee to the North with him. Warriors Don’t Cry initially held my attention until it no longer did.I anticipated an ending where Melba and the other black students are accepted and embraced by the white community. However, that scene never came. I felt as if all of the Little Rock Nine’s efforts were in vain at that moment, but after some reflection and research, I saw the impact they had on school segregation. I can not really criticize the plot as it is a real-life event that was actually witnessed by people all over the