Warriors Don’t Cry follows the story of Melba Pattillo Beals, a young woman who lived in Arkansas in a time where segregation was the norm. This novel shows the struggles her and eight other African American children faced as they were sent to take part in the integration of Central High School. On the first day of class a white mob of tremendous size gathered in hopes of preventing entry into the school. The Arkansas National Guard was also called to encircled the school as a means of preventing entry; luckily, Melba escaped the ordeal unharmed, but as a result she was required to remain home in isolation. The National Guard was soon forced out by a judge’s ruling and the Little Rock Nine were ordered to be allowed admission into Central High …show more content…
Outside of the school a mob of angry white citizens became restless and decided to express their opposition to the integration by use of force. The barricades that had been put in place to prevent entrance into the school began to be dismantled and one by one mob members made their way into the school. A witch hunt soon began in search of the Little Rock Nine. The nine students made their way to the principal’s office for protection and in an attempt to wait out the mob. While inside tensions within the mob began to rise even more and the ludicrous suggestion to turn over one of the Little Rock Nine to the mob was made, “We may have to let the mob have one of these kids, so’s we can distract them long enough to get the others out.”(80). It’s somewhat surreal to me when considering the circumstances that could even warrant this kind of idea. The man who suggested this was acting out of a false sense of rationality. His thought was that the sacrifice of a child would preoccupy the mob long enough to allow the others to escape, but I believe that cowardice was also involved in his thinking. If for some reason the mob was able to make their way into the principal’s office, little sympathy would be had for the men that aimed to protect the African American students. In the book it was stated that, in regards to the mob that “There must be a thousand people out there, armed and coming this way.”(80), a sight that would leave any man assuming the worst. Not only were the Little Rock Nine in fear of what was to happen, but the white men with them shuttered at the thought of the mob breaking in. This is why the suggestion was made. It was not a question if harm would be done to the students, but how severe that harm would be. Personally I am appalled that a suggestion of this sort was even made. I understand that at this point in our nation’s history race