Sunday, April 15, 2012

Warriors Don't Cry


Warriors Don’t Cry
By: Nate Reichter

Reflecting on Melba Pattillo Beals “Warriors Don’t Cry” I believe the “Little Rock Nine” are warriors in every way.  When I think of a warrior I think of Melba, Melba portrays every characteristic a warrior should have.  Melba stands for something greater than herself, she is determined, she is courageous, and she is a survivor.  Melba has the ability to hide the negative aspects of her life and overlook her own suffering for the greater good of ending segregation in schools. No matter the amount of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse Melba endures she will not break, Melba will survive.
By attending Central High Melba exposes herself to unthinkable torment.  From almost being raped, to having acid thrown in her eyes, to almost being set on fire, to just being beat up physically and emotionally, Melba endures this all, and for what purpose?  At first Melba really does not understand the purpose of going to school, but as time passes Melba understands that she is setting an example for much more than one community.  Melba is standing up for a nation.  There were many times Melba wanted to quit but through her courage, strength, and determination a warrior was born.  Melba’s year at school opened many people’s eyes and helped them notice how big of a fight the nine students had to go through in order to change societies view on integration.  Melba fought day after day and transformed into the ultimate warrior.
If I was in Melba’s situation, I would try my hardest to overcome all of the physical, verbal, and emotional abuse to show to everyone that I could be a true warrior too.  Reading about Melba’s struggles inspire me to overcome the hardships in her situation.  Now I know it would be much tougher than it sounds, but I would try my hardest to overcome the struggles the way Melba did. She is a true warrior, I hope if I was in the same situation I would act like her. 

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