Book Review: Warriors Don't Cry

"I sometimes wish I could change myself into a psychiatrist to determine what makes me such a hated member of this school. Can they really be treating me this way because I am brown, that's all."

After finishing Warriors Don't Cry, I was astonished to learn a piece of history I wish was just fiction. The sad reality is Melba Pattillo's account of her year of integration at Central High School is cut and dry, non-fiction truth. Melba was one of the nine high schoolers chosen to integrate Little Rock, Arkansas' highly renown Central High School. Her first day entry is probably well known to readers. The 1950's pictures of the group of Black students being escorted into school by army officials are distant memories of American History in the long timeline of Civil Rights and racial equality. The story of what took place after their famous entry into public school is the story I never knew. Melba recounted her junior year in Warriors Don't Cry with, what I believe to be, modest detail, and yet the acts of racism would bring you to tears. As one of the first black students integrated into Central High School, Melba endured absolute torture. She was kicked, pushed down stairs, threatened with a knife, chased, slapped, poked, and spat on. That was only the physical abuse. She endured verbal onslaughts every day of degrading, inhumane words describing her impending death by white supremacist students. This was in the 50's; it was shocking to read. I teared up within the first couple of pages when I read the verbal rants of parents dehumanizing these children to spare their white children from having to share a classroom with people of another color. Melba's story was one of horrible racism and unwavering faith in God.

Although I read this story with a feeling of disgust, I can't help but think: what if this never took place? What is Melba's God (the same one I believe in) never allowed this to happen. What would have changed if Melba and the eight other black students had not endured complete unjust torture at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. There is no way to sugar-coat Melba's experiences and her words to describe them, they were awful. But the bigger question is: Would this much good for Melba and all other marginalized individuals had been accomplished if God had not allowed his glory to outshine absolute evil? Why people have to suffer to the extent they do to change a society's perspective is unknown to me, but, like Melba, I believe God is love, holiness, and justice. This book provides proof to me that God is so much bigger than we can perceive in the midst of horrendous circumstances. Although the story made me even more confident in the capacity of evil in humans, it has also increased my faith in the God that created them. It undoubtedly took a divine act to change the hearts filled with hate against people who are brown, that's all. I am thankful that Melba was able to write her story, and hopefully, her words and the experiences she endured will change the heart of someone who otherwise would have continued to hate instead of love.
I would highly recommend this book to adults and mature young readers.