Warriors Don't Cry

454 Words2 Pages
In Warriors Don’t Cry, by Melba Beals, integration is happening at Central High School. Nine colored students are being put to the ultimate test; they must go through an all white school and not give up on their families to prove to everyone else that they can overcome integration in Central. Melba and the other colored students must go through days of torture to discover that hope can guide a person through the hardship of integration. Melba has hope to guide her through her days at Central High School. However, where Melba has hope, she also has Danny. “Right away, I had a good feeling about him because of the way he introduced himself and took charge” (81). Melba knows she can trust him and just knowing that, gives her hope to get through the day. Melba overcame a lot when she entered Central, when she met Danny. Torment, getting assaulted, being bullied, mental and emotional torture. She knew things were going to be hard, she just didn’t realize quite how hard. Melba was warned about the hardship, the abuse she had to overcome, not only by her Grandma, but by the rest of the town. Secondly, “As I stepped into it, a wave of peace washed over me” (103). Melba had a hard day at school, and had hope to guide her through the day. Knowing that she would return safely home soon. Melba and Danny both had hope to guide them through difficult times of integration. Melba had Danny at school, but at home, she had her family. Her mother showed her this. For example, “There were tears in her eyes as she whispered ‘goodbye. Make this day the best you can,’ she said” (93). Melba left for school every day with her mom hugging her and telling her no matter what, she’d be on her side. Going through torment every day, Melba always has hope she can make it through the day. Secondly, “A girl smiled at me today, another gave me directions, still
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