"God's Warriors Don't Cry"- Extra Credit

At the end of chapter four, Grandma India reminds Melba that "God's warriors don't cry"(Beals 44). Think about this quote and the discussion that we had in class. What does the quote mean? What did the discussion that Melba and Grandma India have while Melba was crying show us about their relationship? Be detailed in your response; I expect one well-supported paragraph. Use at least one direct quote in your response from Warriors Don't Cry.

Thinking about the Little Rock Nine

Looking at the pictures between pages 132-133 of Little Rock Central High School and Elizabeth Eckford make me think about how difficult it must have been to have been part of the Little Rock Nine. Look at the pictures on these pages. What stands out for you? Why? Are there any potential bystanders? upstanders? victims? perpetrators?

Use your knowledge of the Civil Rights Movement from your article, learning about Emmitt Till, and listening to some of the music that relates to the movement to make one connection with a pciture that you see on pages 132-133. Be sure to follow the new blog expectations for full credit.

Final thoughts about Integration

Now that we have finished reading Warriors Don't Cry, I want you to think about some of Melba's thoughts at the end of chapter 18. She writes, "My Central High School experience also taught me that we are not to separate. The effort to separate ... is as costly to the separator as to those who would be separated" (Beals 222). What do you think she means?

Melba to a new school? (Due Friday @ 5:00)

At the end of chapter 17, Melba is put into a difficult situation. At a family meeting, she finds out that her mother will lose her teaching job if she continues to go to school at Central the following term (Beals 203). If you were Melba's mother, would you encourage your daughter to stay at Central or go to another school in order to keep your job (which keeps the family from living in a community like Nana Healey's community) and continue to provide for your family?

Link (extra credit)

Link feels torn between loyalty to his friends and family and guilt for what the black students are enduring. What does this say about his character? Use a paraphrase or direct quote in your response.

Parents

Before answering the question, read pages 183-the top of 185.

Melba is faced with an issue that all individuals face at some point while we grow up. In speaking with Link, she is defying Grandma India and Mother Lois' wishes (Beals 184). Melba observes, "He [Link] understood what I was going through" (Beals 184). If you were Melba (at this point in the book), would you stop talking to Link to make your grandma and mother happy? -or- Would you continue to talk to Link? Why?

Suicide?

In chapter 14, Melba expresses a desire to die to her grandmother (Beals 160). How does Grandma India respond? (Be sure to include a paraphrase with the correct citation). Do you think this was a good answer? Be detailed in your response.