https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk by Melba Beals en-us 2022-02-04 16:19:35 UTC 2022-04-01 04:51:48 UTC hello@padlet.com davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2098528872 Melba Beals
Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High]]> 2022-03-16 17:36:24 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2098528872 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2098544709 The book starts with Melba and the other eight people she went to Little Rock with having a reunion. They're all older, with children, and grown up. They enjoy each others company whilst reminiscing on the event that brought them together. Reporters come to interview them, and Melba speaks about her experience. She tells the reporter that "It was like being a solder on a battle field" (P2). Melba says she hasn't had the strength to come back to Little Rock as often because of what she experienced. She wonders where Governor Faubus is, the same man who allowed all the of it to happen; who supported segregation. She finds out that "He wasn't invited. At least that's what he says" (P4). As the Little Rock Nine leave, they head to the same school they tried to integrate and get greeted by a man named Derrick Noble.  ]]> 2022-03-16 17:46:00 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2098544709 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2098558736 During her junior year, Melba Beals compares her life to the average teenage girl. Whilst they were watching Elvis, she was fighting for her life. Whilst they were collecting crinoline slips, she was being chased by lynch mobs. Melba Beals was apart of a group of nine black children that wanted to integrate schools. This put her in danger of being lynched, mobbed, harassed. She says that on her first day of school, "Governor Faubus dispatched gun-toting Arkansas National Guard Solders to prevent us from entering" (PG1). Melba and her mother were also chased down by a group carrying ropes, planning on killing them. Some time after they won a court order that allowed them to enter the school, but soon there were people rushing to get them back out. Finally on their third trip, the group got through one full day of school. Melba says that she had to become an adult faster than her peers because of the cause she was fighting for. However, if it came to it, she would do it again. Her grandmother was her main role model, telling her to keep fighting. ]]> 2022-03-16 17:53:48 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2098558736 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2117702744 Melba reminisces on when she was young and didn't know any better. There were times when she experienced racism unknowingly, and her family had to get her out of it. When she finally was old enough to start asking questions, nobody cared to answer her. She was told to "Be patient, child, and tell God all bout it" (P7). She talks about how her mother pushed through the setbacks, so she could get her master's degree in an all-white university. Nevertheless, she made it through it all and graduated. With this came status, Melba's family was considered middle-class. However, they didn't get any special treatment. Her family still had to constantly endure the discrimination that they faced. For example, Melba's mother was harassed and her father wanted to defend her but, "there was an awful big fear keeping him silent" (P15).]]> 2022-03-28 17:43:14 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2117702744 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2118510757 At twelve, the Brown v. Board of Education movement began. Which meant that life would be more dangerous. All children were warned to stay in groups when walking home, that it wasn't safe for them. Melba makes the mistake of not paying attention, and is confronted by a white man. His intentions are clear when he tries to give her a ride and says "I got candy in the car. Lots of candy" (P25). Melba starts to run and declines his offer, but he catches her. The man tries to assault her, but someone comes to her rescue. This person is named Marissa, who is known to be a bit of a bully.  Marissa guides her home, and explains that "If we didn't hurry, we'd get raped" (P26). Her Grandma burns her clothes when she comes home, and Melba is shocked by this. Melba feels dirty because of what that man did to her.]]> 2022-03-29 03:35:06 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2118510757 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2118517520 With Melba being apart of an integration movement, there comes obstacles. Even within her own family. Her father disapproved greatly, and he showed it. He said that his employers were threatening his job because of what they were doing. However, Melba's grandmother came to Melba's defense and supported what she was doing. Melba is suffering from her responsibility, but also feels a sense of pride at what she and others are doing. 

Quote: "The only good thing about the meetings was that they allowed  me to visit with my friends--the other students who would be integrating Central." (P34)

"We integrating students shared many things in common. All of our parents were strict, no-nonsense types." (P35)]]> 2022-03-29 03:40:23 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2118517520 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119520256 Melba and her mother get separated from their group on the first day of school at Central High. They push through the crowd enough to see Elizabeth Eckford being heckled and harassed by angry white people. However, even with no protection from the soldier, Elizabeth would hold her head high despite the cruel things being thrown at her. The soldiers were not letting her through, so Elizabeth walked alone to the bus stop while being followed. Melba tried to keep watching, but she soon got grabbed by an angry mob member and had to run to the car with her mother. 

Quotes: "The anger of the huge crowd was directed toward Elizabeth Eckford as she stood alone, in front of Central High, facing the long line of soldiers, with a huge crowd of white people screeching at her back." (P49)

"At times, our pursuers were so close I could look back and see the anger in their eyes." (P51)]]> 2022-03-29 14:44:53 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119520256 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119821985 When Melba and her mother get back home, the first thing they ask about is whether Elizabeth is okay. Her grandmother tells her that Elizabeth was helped by a man and a woman who rode with her on the bus. That eases their worries for a while, until they hear that the soldiers who didn't help them were armed with weapons. Her mother is angry because of that fact. They moved on, but Melba had to swear to silence and stay away from the outside; if she spoke too much, they could connect her to their deeds. After a few nights of no activity, Melba was excited to hear a phone call. However, the person she wanted to hear wasn't there. Instead it was a man who wanted to threaten her and her family's lives. Melba decides not to tell her family. This would be a mistake, because their house would get shot up by three men.]]> 2022-03-29 17:10:34 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119821985 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119849726 Melba is starting to see that what she is doing is not gaining the support of some of the people she loves. Her grandmother's friends think she should wait. Her father has made it known that he cares more about his job. Even the man who her grandmother seems to like is unsure about the whole movement. Melba wants to be mad, but she's more saddened by the fact that there are people in her community who are against her actions.]]> 2022-03-29 17:24:12 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119849726 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119849909 Melba starts to feel the affects of being a young activist. Her friends are starting to pull away from her and avoiding her completely. Their reasoning are rooted in their safety, but it doesn't help ease Melba's feelings. Melba is slightly comforted by the fact that she can still go out to wrestling matches with her grandmother, but then those are taken away from her too. Melba breaks down in front of her grandmother after hearing this news, and locks herself away. ]]> 2022-03-29 17:24:18 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119849909 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119850168 Melba and her group of nine walk to the court where they will try to push their point across, so they can go to school. Melba felt frightened of all the powerful, government men that would be present. She felt if she told the truth about her experience trying to get into Central, their whole case would be upturned. They didn't get through the court without being insulted, however. Everything proceed no matter the protest, and Melba witnessed her first trial. ]]> 2022-03-29 17:24:27 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119850168 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119850558 Melba was surprised to see the police protecting them from the angry mob, but when they got inside, everything was chaos. Luckily, a woman helped them through the heckling crowd and got them to the principal's office. Now that they had their class schedules, they were ushered back out of their safe space and back into the highschool. The only kindness she sees that morning is from her PE teacher, that is short-lived because of the mob breaking in. Melba tries to escape, but has trouble on the way with some of the other teens. Melba finds her guide, and is so relieved that she doesn't mind the scolding. She has to choke back her tears as she goes to her next class, which gives her peace as the teacher shows her sympathy. Before she can rest, her guide snatches her up and takes her to the office. The rest of her group had gathered, but the mob was too big to get out of the school. Melba eavesdrops on the men's conversations, and hears something horrible. They need to use one of the kids for bait to get the others out. ]]> 2022-03-29 17:24:39 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119850558 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119850774 The men were conflicted on letting one of the kids hang, and Melba couldn't help but let the horror start to take over her thoughts. She turned to face her group, and some were already crying. The conversation between the officers quieted, and they made their way to the group. A man named Gene Smith introduces himself to the group, and makes it known that he will not leave anyone behind for the mob. They were taken to two cars in a loading dock area, and told to hunker down and not make themselves known. Melba sensed the danger that they were in when she saw the gun strapped to their driver's side. Finally, Smith gave the drivers the sign to go and they pulled out quickly. The mob tried to stop the car, hurl rocks at it, and get to the group. The driver accelerated and the faces started to disappear. They were allowed to sit up after a while, and Melba thanked the man once she was home safe. Her neighbors and family were gathered in the front, and Melba was questioned on her well-being. Before she could answer, she was pushed inside. She comforted her troubled mother, and they all sat down to listen to the newscast. They were yet again withdrawn from Central High.]]> 2022-03-29 17:24:46 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119850774 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119851050 Whilst at home, Melba's family gets a knock at the door. The people there claim to be sent from the Office of the President. With suspicion, Melba's grandmother relented. This was a good decision because the President had given Melba protection against the mob if she went back to school. The next morning Melba turns the to find fifty uniformed soldiers waiting for them. The soldiers stayed by their side as they attempted once again to attend school, and they did so successfully.]]> 2022-03-29 17:24:54 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119851050 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119851278 Melba felt unsafe once the soldiers had left, but then she found that they really hadn't. As all nine separated, one would get a soldier by their side to protect them. The soldier that had been assigned to Melba introduced himself as Danny, and he waited for her duteously. However, there were still some that had things to say to her. They were not kind things. Melba had to deal with threats against her as she simply went to the bathroom when her soldier could not join her, or getting through a fire drill and dealing with another mob. Luckily, the soldiers were always there if needed. ]]> 2022-03-29 17:25:01 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119851278 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119851481 The hecklers decided that they wanted to up their game and torment Melba. The moment she came in with Danny, she was followed and spit at, kicked and shoved, and then insulted when she asked for help. Danny, sadly, could not do anything extreme to protect her; he couldn't touch the students or verbally insult them. Though the fact was disappointing, his demeanor could easily intimidate and that gave Melba a little more confidence in him and herself. Melba forced herself to endure the annoyances]]> 2022-03-29 17:25:08 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119851481 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119851632 Despite the progress, Governor Faubus had to put his word in. He announced that the soldiers were becoming physical, and hustling students. To keep the soldiers out of trouble and in the schools, they had to back off. Which left Melba vulnerable, and she knew it. Without the protection, Melba saw the attitudes of the students changed. She thought she found kindness in a fellow girl, but was soon stabbed in the back by the reality. Melba stayed strong, and didn't show them her pain.]]> 2022-03-29 17:25:12 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119851632 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119852410 As the school day came to an end, excitement for the weekend started to rocket. The school had a football game against an arch-rival, so it was understandable. Oddly, the stairways were unusually empty and it was class break. As quickly as it ended, a dynamite was thrown right at her. Danny was able to put it out, but showed no care for the girl he had saved. Melba was too focused on her safety when she was told she would be having her first pep rally. Melba's fears were right as she was cornered by four football players. They threatened her school life and wellbeing before letting her go. She goes to Danny, and he asks her why she didn't do anything. She wonders on what she could have done, and he says that it takes a warrior to fight a battle. ]]> 2022-03-29 17:25:37 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119852410 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119852592 Though it was the end of the week, Melba felt that there was something missing inside of herself. She tried to talk to her friend, Marsha, but would only be reminded of the danger she is putting her in. Melba felt separated from the people she once knew. She didn't have time to think normally anymore, everything was important and everything was necessary. The only good thing that seemed to come during her weekend was her date with Vince. She couldn't do anything, but test out new hairstyles. The date with Vince allowed to her to rest and relax with one of her equals and peers. And he felt proud to be with her, unlike others who either stayed away or shunned her. ]]> 2022-03-29 17:25:42 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119852592 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119852864 The soldiers were gone, and in there place were the Arkansas National Guard. They weren't going to protect the group, they hadn't last time and they wouldn't now. The angry students took this chance to throw everything they had from threats to insults to cruel pranks. Melba had nearly quit by the time it was lunch and her cries weren't heard when she went to the clerks. Melba attempted to go to the restroom once more, but then was attacked by burning toilet paper whilst she was in her stall. She resorted to throwing books at her aggressors to get out and away from it. Melba was so stunned and hurt from the behavior of her peers that she couldn't speak on the ride home.]]> 2022-03-29 17:25:51 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119852864 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119853112 It was now known that Governer Faubus and the President had came to an agreement on removing the soldiers. However, it was quickly taken back because the President did not feel as though the Governer would do his job to protect the black students. There were still no signs of the soldiers when they got to school, but the vice-principal did the job of 50 soldiers to ward off the crowd. The same people who had been shooed off attacked Melba in the hall, but she stood up for herself. She had managed to scare them off, she had shown them her strength.]]> 2022-03-29 17:25:59 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2119853112 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2124836153 2022-04-01 04:44:17 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2124836153 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2124838169 https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/melba-pattillo-beals-725/]]> 2022-04-01 04:46:28 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2124838169 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2124838768 2022-04-01 04:47:09 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2124838768 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2124840504 2022-04-01 04:48:48 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2124840504 davissam007 https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2124841617 2022-04-01 04:50:03 UTC https://padlet.com/davissam007/kxxwtj31rio8hmnk/wish/2124841617