Melba Pattillo Beals Story As Described In Her Book, Warriors Don’t Cry

Warriors Don’t Cry is a heartbreaking first-hand account by Melba Beal. A segregated Little Rock in the 1950’s was home to an African-American woman. Melba’s first appearance is as an ignorant young girl asking God “When can we be in control?” She learns to be patient with the help of Grandma India. This is probably one of the most influential and mentoring people in her life. Melba becomes a more mature, tolerant woman as the tale progresses. She encompasses all the characteristics of a true warrior.

Melba’s reaction to Grandma India’s statement “You’ll cry your last cry…God warriors don’t cry” (57), is a turning point in her memoir. Melba’s Grandmother and Melba are fighting over whether Melba can attend a small event, which Melba finds upsetting. However, the statement is very deep. Melba realizes that she is important to the African-American Community in the United States, not just Little Rock. Her grandmother understands the importance of Central for blacks’ future in America. She sees Melba, now, as a tough soldier who has to grow a thicker hide and endure pain in order for her to succeed at this new school. Melba questioned God’s plans all through her childhood. Why did God not act sooner to put an end to black suffering? When was she going to be treated equally? When would she finally be equal? She realizes, after hearing her grandmother’s words, that she needs to hide her pain. After waiting so patiently, she’s finally taking part in God’s War.

Melba shares this anecdote to illustrate the influence of Grandma India on her. It was also a way to show the importance of Melba’s grandma in her life. Grandma India was not cruel, despite what some people may think. Tears show weakness. Only victims cry.

Her grandmother taught to her never to see yourself as a sufferer. Grandma India had a godly and elderly appearance. Over the course of her lifetime, she witnessed black people being treated badly and dehumanized. She didn’t think Melba should be treated like another victim.

Melba’s resistance was further reinforced by her expulsion with her best friend Minnijean. Minnijean Brown, tired of cruel remarks and violent assaults, decided to voice her opinion. She called a group of girls who assaulted a white girl “white rubbish” after she was assaulted. She was immediately expelled for her remarks.

The white pro segregationists were elated to see that black students would indeed falter under pressure. They gained momentum as they noticed this. Provocations were launched after it became clear that the black students will and can crack under stress. The chant was “one negger down, 8 to go” (241). Melba was aware that pro-segregationists were going to take advantage of this situation. She wanted to be as strong as ever. It only reinforced her resistance. She was repeatedly slapped on, spat at and once hit across the cheek with a racquet. Her only response was to say “thanks”, which infuriated white people from Central High. Melba hid away. (246). It is clear that Gandhi’s nonviolent method of protest affected her.

It’s sad to think that Melba had lost her innocence at this point. She is alienated by the actions she takes, as though she were a strange creature that had no emotions. She is hated for her color by the whites, and has now lost many of her friends because she reacted to the violence in a violent way. She is left alone on her sweet 16, a date she had always dreamed of in her teenage years.

Melba wanted readers to know the personal consequences of this “victory” in integration. She didn’t wish for readers to believe that Little Rock’s integration policies had ended the fight against racial inequality. She wanted the public to know about a girl that used to come home everyday from school with rotten ovaries in her hair and bruises. Realizing you’re no longer a naive, silly child is hard to take. It’s a tough pill to swallow, realizing you have the qualities of a fighter and you can’t return to living in a world that you imagined was perfect.

As the time passed, Faubus concluded that the best way to stop desegregation in Little Rock would be to close down all its schools. Melba chose to relocate to Santa Rosa to further her education. She decides to go to San Francisco State University despite all the abuse and cruelty she has experienced. This school is dominated by students of color. Melba is a woman who has a burning passion for equality. Melba stated “…it made me think of the segregation fences in Little Rock.” She felt compelled to act and attend university to make an impression.

She was hosted by the McCabes in Santa Rosa. They were a friendly white family. They all quickly became friends, despite being initially scared to live with a family of whites. She continued, “Today I visit them to bask on their love and be treated as if they are my daughter.” (308). She acknowledges that, although segregationists of white race were at the root of her pain, white people helped her overcome many obstacles. Melba says, “Without law-abiding people of color who risked life to help me tell this story I would not still be alive today” (309). Melba is a person of great character and heart. She shows she is not ignorant. The white race was never hated or resented by Melba, as she understood there were good and evil in everyone. She recognizes Link and Danny specifically, two white males who saw the chance to do good and seized it.

Melba ended her talk with an inspiring story about the Little Rock Crisis. It was a testament to how she managed to get through that challenging year. She shows us the importance of forgiveness, patience and willpower. She developed formidable qualities thanks to those who were around her in 1957. They helped her to see the world for what it was. She learned the value of nonviolent protest and patience from her grandmother India. Melba’s patience allowed her to remain calm and composed in the face of vicious segregationists. Melba found peace through the loving care that the McCabes gave her. After accepting her fate, Melba was able to find a family that loved her and would support her academic endeavors. Link, her best friend, and Danny’s bodyguard would protect her. She could see both the cruelty and the kindness in people. Melba could see the kindness of people and not only their color.