In the last section of Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals, the students have finally found ways to combat the atrocities of their white schoolmates. One of the strategies was given to Melba by her grandmother when she told her, "Take, for example, this egg in your hair. Suppose you'd have told the boys who did this, 'Thank you,' with a smile. Then you've changed the rules of the game. What they want is for you to be unhappy" (242). This idea gives Melba a hope that she can fight in a way that would not cause her to be punished by the school, but still effectively shake the racist student body. Melba tries out this tactic and recounts her experience in her diary when she writes, "I got hit across the back with a tennis racquet. I managed to smile and say, 'Thank you.' Andy said, 'What did you say, nigger?' I repeated, 'Thank you very much.' I spit up blood in the rest room" (246). Melba finishes the thought in her diary with, "I think the warrior only exists in me now. Melba went away to hide. She was too frightened to stay here" (246). Melba's complete transformation into a machine of non-emotion and an inhuman like sense of calm to her assaults show how she has been hardened by the segregation experience and learned to cope with her harsh environment.
Towards the end of the book the students are almost to the point of graduation although not all make it that far. When Melba reads an article in the newspaper that talks about a news reporter who received two Pulitzer Prizes simply for documenting the CHS integration, Melba wondered,"when we would get big prizes for what we were doing. After all, this guy was just observing our troubles from afar and writing about them. Not once did I see him spend a day in hell with us" (291). This quote shows Melba's frustration with the public's lack of acknowledgment to the heroics of the Little Rock Nine, but also foreshadows the great awards that they would receive in their future as adults, far removed from the halls of Central High. In her adult years, Melba reflects on the decisions of the NAACP that caused her to integrate Central High. She writes, "I wondered how in their minds they justified such an act. As an adult, I believe had it been me driving, I would have kept going rather than allow my children to face that rampaging mob. And yet had we students not gone to school that day, perhaps the integration of Central, and a whole string of other Southern schools that eventually followed, would never have taken place" (309). Here Melba can see the importance of the struggles she went to and the effect that they have had. Trying to imagine our society without the integration that she and the other 9 instigated, it is a sad and pitiful picture. Her acts have brought a greater amount of acceptance into our school systems, workforce, and every day life. It is an understatement to say that Melba Pattillo Beals was a heroine for our country.
Citation:
Beals, Melba Pattillo. Warriors Don't Cry. New York: Washington Square Press, 1994.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Warriors Don't Cry
Throughout her days at Central High, Beals recalls much more discouragement and strife than progress. I can hardly imagine the emotional exhaustion that the students must have had from attending a school where almost the entire student body hated them without knowing a thing about them. Melba's discouragement even grew to the point of manifesting itself as illness. She said, "I stayed in bed all day Sunday, telling myself I was ill, but the truth was I was partially suffering from downhearted blues... With my head under the covers... I cried myself to sleep. I know I am fighting for a good cause... but will it really make a difference?" (181). I know that if I had been in Melba's position I would not have been able to stand the cruelty and continue fighting as she did. Her brief bout with what seems like depression is very mild compared to what could have been, which indicates her strong character. One event that was a great discouragement to the Little Rock Nine was the gradual removal of the armed forces that protected them throughout their day at school. A newspaper informed the families that, "101st DIVISION UT BACK FORCE TODAY; 1/2 GOING BACK TO KENTUCKY... The announcement of their departure to Kentucky gave segregationists reason to celebrate, and it was eident in the students who bragged about their renewed hope of getting rid of us" (182). Since the students were now in more danger at school than they had ever been before, it seems reasonable that they would prefer to give up. However, despite the huge danger they faced, they continued to suffer through the day to make history.
Discouragement was even more evident inside the walls of Central High. When one of the black students, Minnijean Brown wanted to participate in the school talent show, parents of the white students complained to the point of banning the girl from the program. In a newspaper article the students were told, "that we should not be allowed to participate in any extra-curricular activities" (202). This exclusion from any other activity shows the failure of the school to actually support integration. Another instance where Minnijean was deeply hurt was, "When one girl pretended to befriend Minnijean, only to betray her a short time later, Minnijean was crushed. She cried in front of school officials. That's when I knew she must be on the edge, because it wasn't like her to show her vulnerability in front of white people" (214). This practice of some students of pretending to be friends with the black students only to lure them into a vulnerable position to be either physically or emotionally abused is probably one of the most debilitating tactics of cruelty. Because they knew any person who was nice to them presently may at any point betray them took away any possibility for them to have trusting friendships with white people.
Discouragement was even more evident inside the walls of Central High. When one of the black students, Minnijean Brown wanted to participate in the school talent show, parents of the white students complained to the point of banning the girl from the program. In a newspaper article the students were told, "that we should not be allowed to participate in any extra-curricular activities" (202). This exclusion from any other activity shows the failure of the school to actually support integration. Another instance where Minnijean was deeply hurt was, "When one girl pretended to befriend Minnijean, only to betray her a short time later, Minnijean was crushed. She cried in front of school officials. That's when I knew she must be on the edge, because it wasn't like her to show her vulnerability in front of white people" (214). This practice of some students of pretending to be friends with the black students only to lure them into a vulnerable position to be either physically or emotionally abused is probably one of the most debilitating tactics of cruelty. Because they knew any person who was nice to them presently may at any point betray them took away any possibility for them to have trusting friendships with white people.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Warriors Don't Cry
The battle to integrate continues when President Eisenhower calls on the 101st Airborne Division to enforce the integration and protect the nine students from mobs and other dangers. This event was a huge success for the black community, and especially for the parents of the Little Rock Nine. Grandma India celebrated the moment and said,"More of God's handiwork... Who'd a thought Mr. Faubus' mistreatment of our nine little children would bring the President and the 101st down on his head" (127). Saying this amidst tears, Melba's loving grandmother understands the importance of this decision of the president not only to protect the nine, but to champion the cause of integration. It seems that for a time the successes only grow. Soon after the guard arrived, the students were able to attend Central High School. Beals reminisces, "Step by step we climbed upward-where none of my people had ever before walked as a student. We stepped up to the fron door of Central High School and crossed the threshold into that place where angry segregationist mobs had forbidden us to go" (133). This first push into the school begins a new chapter of adventure and abuse for the students as they now face the hatred of the children of the mobs who kept them out for so long.
As there were innumerable instances of racism that the students faced, they had opportunities to show their character as strong crusaders and stand up for their people. One of these instances occurred when Melba was asked if she would rather be white by a reporter and responded, "Do you wish you were Negro?...I'm proud of who I am. My color is inconvenient right now, but it won't always be like this" (144). The stand Melba took was so powerful as to cause a nearby African American journalist to ask Melba to write about her experiences and further the public's understanding of what the Little Rock Nine faced in Central High School. Through physical as well as verbal abuse, Melba was forced to stand above it and prove herself to be better than the hooligans who tormented her. After being attacked by a group of boys and kicked in the shins and stomach, Melba struggled to stand. Her bodyguard Danny encouraged her, "Stand tall... let's move out" (148). Although she had just been knocked to the ground and greatly injured, Melba could not afford to show a weakness because of her already dangerous situation. This need to be super-humanly strong physically drained all of the students, but was imperative to their success and survival.
Citation:
Beals, Melba Pattillo. Warriors Don't Cry. New York: Washington Square Press, 1994.
As there were innumerable instances of racism that the students faced, they had opportunities to show their character as strong crusaders and stand up for their people. One of these instances occurred when Melba was asked if she would rather be white by a reporter and responded, "Do you wish you were Negro?...I'm proud of who I am. My color is inconvenient right now, but it won't always be like this" (144). The stand Melba took was so powerful as to cause a nearby African American journalist to ask Melba to write about her experiences and further the public's understanding of what the Little Rock Nine faced in Central High School. Through physical as well as verbal abuse, Melba was forced to stand above it and prove herself to be better than the hooligans who tormented her. After being attacked by a group of boys and kicked in the shins and stomach, Melba struggled to stand. Her bodyguard Danny encouraged her, "Stand tall... let's move out" (148). Although she had just been knocked to the ground and greatly injured, Melba could not afford to show a weakness because of her already dangerous situation. This need to be super-humanly strong physically drained all of the students, but was imperative to their success and survival.
Citation:
Beals, Melba Pattillo. Warriors Don't Cry. New York: Washington Square Press, 1994.
Warriors Don't Cry
As the characters in this book experience such incredible hatred and racism from the segregationists, it becomes very interesting to see how they cope with these attacks. In one instance, a shooting occurred outside Melba's house, and bullet holes penetrated their family room walls. Grandma India fixes the situation by covering up the marks with a picture, saying, "Won't do to have bullet holes in the wall... Somebody will stop by and want us to explain it. We can't make a big deal out of what happened last night, you know" (66). The attitude that Grandma India takes is to simply brush the incident aside and forget, which could eventually harm Melba's psyche by not allowing her to process the events that happen in this important part of her life. Although this may harm her, Melba takes a similar approach of ignoring what is wrong around her. Although she knows it is unsafe, she makes up her mind to ignore the danger and try to be a regular person. Melba says in her diary, "I won't think of the white people. i will spend the whole day finding the perfect disguise to wear to the wrestling matches. No matter what, I'm gonna be a regular person" (76). Considering her situation of being cooped up at home for her own safety, Melba's desire to sneak out and feel free again is completely understandable, even to the point of risking her own safety.
Another element that is evident in this book is the confusion that Melba feels with white people. Some were so radically vicious towards her, while others were decent people. During a small meeting over the issue of the integration, a white reporter asked Melba a question and addressed her politely. Melba then thought, "Miss... It was the first time anybody white had ever called me Miss. They cared what I thought" (88). The mixed feelings about white people are obvious considering the screaming mobs that Melba had faced, in comparison to the people who kindly considered her feelings as important. Melba continues her thought processing of the nature of white people further into the novel as well. In her diary she writes, "Today is the first time in my life I felt equal to white people. I want more of that feeling. I'll do whatever I have to do to keep feeling equal all the time" (90). This promise to herself establishes Melba even more as a heroine. Once she experiences what is right, she is willing to do anything to achieve that permanently, in this case to continue the integration of Central High.
Citation:
Beals, Melba Pattillo. Warriors Don't Cry. New York: Washington Square Press, 1994.
Another element that is evident in this book is the confusion that Melba feels with white people. Some were so radically vicious towards her, while others were decent people. During a small meeting over the issue of the integration, a white reporter asked Melba a question and addressed her politely. Melba then thought, "Miss... It was the first time anybody white had ever called me Miss. They cared what I thought" (88). The mixed feelings about white people are obvious considering the screaming mobs that Melba had faced, in comparison to the people who kindly considered her feelings as important. Melba continues her thought processing of the nature of white people further into the novel as well. In her diary she writes, "Today is the first time in my life I felt equal to white people. I want more of that feeling. I'll do whatever I have to do to keep feeling equal all the time" (90). This promise to herself establishes Melba even more as a heroine. Once she experiences what is right, she is willing to do anything to achieve that permanently, in this case to continue the integration of Central High.
Citation:
Beals, Melba Pattillo. Warriors Don't Cry. New York: Washington Square Press, 1994.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Outside Reading 2: Warriors Don't Cry
I have chosen to switch my outside reading book from John Adams to Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals. This is a compelling memoir about the authors struggle to integrate Little Rock Arkansas' Central High School. One of the major themes in this book is the persecution and abuse of black Americans in Little Rock and other places. This abuse instilled a fear into the hearts of many African Americans who even after successful integration felt unsafe in the town. According to one of the Little Rock Nine who integrated Central High, returning to Little Rock was "Frightening... most uf us have rarely come back to Arkansas as adults... I have only found the strength to visit five times in thirty years because of the uneasy feeling the city gives me" (xxi). This sentiment seems to be shared by many of the people who face or have faced persecution from the white people all around them. Another example of this poor treatment of black people is evident in the circumstances surrounding Melba Pattillo Beals' birth. She had a terrible illness as a baby and was about to die, until her mother overheard the treatment that her daughter was supposed to have recieved in order to survive. After asking the nurse about this treatment, the white woman replied "yes, come to think of it, the doctor had said something about Epsom salts. But we don't coddle nigggers" (5). This woman's hatred towards black people clouded her judgement so much that she would not even care for an innocent baby who was about to die.
This abuse lead to a desire to reform their society, launching Melba Pattillo into an even more dangerous and risky world. She was encouraged by the words of her grandmother to fight for her rights and change what is wrong in the world. "Even when the battle is long and the path is steep, a true warrior does not give up. If each one of us does not step forward to claim our rights, we are doomed to an eternal wait in hopes those who would usurp them will become benevolent" (3). Pattillo lived by this mantra and used it as encouragement for the difficult times she would face in her struggle to change the status quo of race relations. Whether she completely understood her fight at the time, Melba Pattillo pushed the race boundary at an early age. As a young girl she decided to enter the "white ladies'" restroom instead of walking all the way to the "colored" restroom, causing havoc to break out in the store she was in. The police got involved and called, "I'm demanding you'all get out here right now. I'm with the Little Rock police. Don't make us come in after you" (19). Her early experience in racial discrimination and the extreme lengths that people will take it prepared her for her future as a radical challenger of her society, and provides a picture of the continuous struggles that she faced.
Citation:
Beals, Melba Pattillo. Warriors Don't Cry. New York: Washington Square Press, 1994.
This abuse lead to a desire to reform their society, launching Melba Pattillo into an even more dangerous and risky world. She was encouraged by the words of her grandmother to fight for her rights and change what is wrong in the world. "Even when the battle is long and the path is steep, a true warrior does not give up. If each one of us does not step forward to claim our rights, we are doomed to an eternal wait in hopes those who would usurp them will become benevolent" (3). Pattillo lived by this mantra and used it as encouragement for the difficult times she would face in her struggle to change the status quo of race relations. Whether she completely understood her fight at the time, Melba Pattillo pushed the race boundary at an early age. As a young girl she decided to enter the "white ladies'" restroom instead of walking all the way to the "colored" restroom, causing havoc to break out in the store she was in. The police got involved and called, "I'm demanding you'all get out here right now. I'm with the Little Rock police. Don't make us come in after you" (19). Her early experience in racial discrimination and the extreme lengths that people will take it prepared her for her future as a radical challenger of her society, and provides a picture of the continuous struggles that she faced.
Citation:
Beals, Melba Pattillo. Warriors Don't Cry. New York: Washington Square Press, 1994.
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