Final project of our 8th grade ELA novel unit
"Rights and Responsibilities" with Ms. Wardean and Ms. Griffith
Summary
Created by: Linnea
Warriors Don’t Cry is a beautiful novel reflecting the true story of a girl known as Melba Pattillo. In 1957, Melba was a sixteen-year-old who lived with her divorced mother, grandmother, and younger brother in Little Rock, Arkansas. This book describes the Civil Rights movement through her own eyes and her perspective of attending an all-white school in Little Rock, Arkansas. With eight other African American students, they were admitted to Central High School due to the Brown v. Board of Education in September of 1957. Since there were mobs of angry protesters always surrounding the school, the 101st Soldiers were to guard their every movement to ensure their protection from students who would hurt them.
Throughout the story, Melba goes through incredible hardships. She faces bullying around every corner of the school, from name-calling to physical harassment to serious threats. Although all the negativity pushes down on her, she pushes herself through the war of her school and becomes a warrior.
Melba wasn't the only one who was struggling throughout the segregation. All African Americans were mistreated because of their skin color. Melba would always wonder why there were rusty water fountains and unsanitary restrooms labeled with “colored” signs. Her family was overcharged at the grocery store for no reason just because they were different. Whites and blacks wouldn’t mix; they were to go to separate schools. They were ignored by police for crimes done to them by whites as well. Personal freedoms were also violated. Melba was often unable to leave her house without getting attacked by mobs that were upset with her going to Central High School. All of these issues were reflected through the novel.
Last updated in 2015