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Review Of Melba Beals 'Warriors Don' T Cry

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Melba Pattillo Beals’ novel, Warriors Don’t Cry, takes on an amazing first-hand account of the integration of Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas. Melba’s work is formed as she recounts many of the stunning events that she and the other eight students were forced to go through that challenged them and pushed them beyond their limits. Because of the discrimination, taunting, and other racial injustices these students had to go through, the nine students were indeed Warriors because Warriors themselves must face great hardships in times of battle. And though this battle was a tough one, Melba found confidence in continuing with the war for integration in herself and her grandmother. These students learned that with fighting a battle, you …show more content…

Melba described the scene starting when “The boy flashed a shiny black object in my face. The sudden pain in my eyes was so intense, so sharp, I thought I’d die… I heard myself cry out as I let go of everything to clutch at my face… Then cold, cold liquid was splashing in my eyes. The water felt so good. My God, thank you! The pain was subsiding” (Beals 173). This act nearly left Melba blind had Danny not acted quickly and flushed out her eyes. After critiquing the audacity these people had to even consider harming a child just matches with the violent tendencies to minorities in the time of the Civil Rights Movement. The other students were also affected by many acts of violence not only outside of the school, but inside as well. Melba’s friend Minnijean was surrounded by a group of white students. After being constantly harassed and pushed around, Minnijean lost her balance and spilled chili on two white boys; she was suspended instantly. Melba’s account of the incident was “All we saw was her wavering as though she were trying to balance herself-and then her tray went flying, spilling chili all over two of the boys” (Beals 220-221). The mind-boggling factor that isn’t inquired upon is why was Minnijean was punished for being hounded by a group of boys and then …show more content…

Based on prior knowledge of this time era, it is safe to say that many things Melba presents are true. All these events presented in this paper and the rest of the events in the novel themselves are historically significant. They are first-hand accounts of an atrocity taking place in our own nation. These were children who had to be stripped of their innocence upon signing up to attend Central High. And the town wanted to lynch them. When looking at the present time now and looking back, most people would feel disgusted or horrified at what these warriors had to go through. And that has to show a sign of growth. This story and others like it have as much historical significance as the Revolutionary War because it shows a group of people fighting for what they want and making a difference. To say that anything during the Civil Rights Movement did not have historical significance is like saying the Vietnam War didn’t

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This symbolizes, somewhat, Danny's appreciation for the difficulties of Melba's struggle in Central High School. Also, this is giving Melba a sense of encouragement and the idea that she should be ready for anything. This will help her continue to stay in Central High School despite the arduous challenges she faces on a daily basis. Therefore, Melba has to sacrifice her childhood to try to improve her life by adapting to the challenges of Central High

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A prominent thematic throughout the novel, Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Patillo Beals is self-reliance. In many instances throughout the novel, Melba must be brave and is sometimes not able to rely on anyone else but herself. There are many figures in the novel that help her overcome obstacles but in many cases, she is forced to fight the battle on her own. One could imply that the tone of the novel is fearful because she is terrified in multiple occasions and is forced to overcome these challenges. The theme of self-reliance for Melba starts when she joins Central High.

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Studies show that in 2011, 51.4 percent of black students in the Northeast attended schools where the student population was 90 percent to 100 percent minority? That means that more than half of the percent of black students attend schools that have mostly black students. In Warriors Don’t Cry, by Melba Pattillo Beals, Melba is a strong person because she listens to her elders, trusts in God, and endures physical and mental abuse. Overall, Melba was a strong person throughout the integration. Melba is a strong person, as shown in this quote, “One nigger down, eight to go” (Beals 220).

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