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.