Summary
The story begins with a visualization of how Melba Beals, the narrator, experiences the cause of being in an integrated school. As of being the color of her skin, violence has already sparked upon mobs throughout the city. "On the third trip to Central High, I rode with the 101st in an army station wagon guarded by jeeps with turret guns mounted on their hoods and helicopters roaring overhead" (2). Imagining how serious just for a black girl to enter a white school feels terrifying. After the flashback, the story begins, where she is growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1945. As she familiarizes with the environment shes in, she wonders why colored are separated from the white people. She wondered why was white people always in charge, as her grandma responds that we would have a chance if we stay patient.
Central High School was a school filled with rich white people, where it inspired Melba to want to join because of the outlook of the school. In school, the teacher passed out a sheet of paper asking who would want to attend Central High School. Melba signed it without discussing with her parents. Melba and her parents were driving to Cincinnati, Ohio to visit her great uncle Clancey. She sees a change of environment from Arkansas to Ohio. White people were different. Melba and her family was respected, no one argued or cause any conflicts. As of arriving back home, Melba's parents found out that she signed the paper when the father called that she had been accepted to Central High School. Going to an integrated school changed the aspects of life for Melba Beals.
Quote
“Even when the battle is long and the path is steep, a true warrior does not give up" (3).
Reaction
Entering a new school is going to be a challenge for Melba Beals. Entering class with seeing new faces and of different color, changes her view point in life. To be able to encounter mobs of destruction, death near experiences, opens up a new attitude towards living. The quote explains how Melba is willing to battle this fight to acknowledge what is presented to her. She will be a warrior and walk through the violent streets just to be in a school, and never give up.
