Warriors Don't Cry (Page 85-147)

Title: Warriors Don't Cry
Author: Melba Pattillo Beals
Pages: 85-147
Chapters: 8-14

SUMMARY:
The hope of integration worsens. Normality is snatched away form the Little Rock 9. Even neighbors are scared of seen together with the Little Rock 9 kids due to the fear of losing their jobs or segregationists attacking their houses at nights. Their old friends are alienating them. The Little Rock 9 are exposed to media and they are asked questions about the integration. They answer without thinking because of all the pressure caused by flashes of cameras and news crowd. Every time in the news Governor Faubus is reported to halt integration causing the Little Rock 9 more nervous as they return back to Central High. They at least have police to secure them but whites are still trying to attack them calling them names. The Little Rock 9 are true heroes because they were able to hold back and be patience even when they were attacked, hated and called names. They were very brave and prayed for the attackers so that God will forgive them. This patience was the source that her grandmother provided through her teachings. President Ike's representatives protected Melba and her friends by sending the most elite armed division, the 101st Airborne Division. This foreshadows that things will turn be serious but soon it will cool down. The searing memoir intensifies every moment. Due to the integration movement, Melba has conflicts with her family and old friends. Her father leaves the family and he lost his job. Melba couldn't go to wrestling matches with grandmother or have a sleepover with her friends because her friends are too scared of mobs that will attack them also.

QUOTATION:
" 'Miss Pattillo, how do you feel about going back to Central High?' "

" 'Miss,' I whispered as my hands perspired and my knees shook" (Beals 88).

REACTION:
I chose this quote because it divulges the manner of the media when it comes to knowing what they want to know. This quote is very broad and it covers media, racism, respect, realization and integration. As a news reporter asks Melba a question by addressing her as "Miss," she is stunned that a white man would ever call her a miss. Media people will dive into anything just to find out what they want. They showed respect to Melba, which made her talk and give her opinion because she felt strong and respected. Although her grandmother didn't want her to talk about family matters and mob attacks, she talked and felt proud. This quote is very powerful because Melba thought that she was important because the news people wrote down whatever she said. That was the moment when she felt that whatever she was doing was right. She was there to integrate for good and for the future and she felt like a true hero. For me, she is a true hero because without her and Little Rock 9 crew, there would be no integration till this day. They suffered pain internally and externally while going through integration and no one would have had so much patience as they did.