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.

Sweet Sixteen?

Beals writes that "integration had stolen my sixteenth birthday" (Beals 147). How so? If you were in her shoes, would you have started to change your mind about the fight for integration? Include one direct quote or paraphrase in your answer (with the right citation).

Dating

Melba's date with Vince starts with red roses. They go to his church and then to her home for dinner (Beals 116). Do you think this was a common way of dating in the late 1950s or the result of strict parents? How does this differ with dating today?

Chapter 9 Observations

At the very end of chapter nine, Melba observes that "after three full days inside Central, I know that integration is a much bigger word than I thought" (Beals 113). What events from chapter nine lead her to this conclusion? Why?

Dr. Roberts Visit

Take a minute to reflect on Dr. Roberts visit yesterday. What are your thoughts about Civil Rights after having heard him speak? Make a few connections with Warriors Don't Cry. Use one direct quote or paraphrase from Warriors with the proper citation. BE DETAILED! I have high expectations for your responses.

What would you do if you were Melba's mom? (extra credit)

At the end of chapter 5, a reporter asks Melba's mom "how does a mother decide to send her daughter into such a dangerous situation?"(Beals 57). Would you have allowed your son or daughter to integrate Central High? Be detailed in you explanation.

"God's warriors don't cry"

So far, I am pleased with your posts. Remember to put your name in the right spot. A few of you did not get credit for your posts because you did not put your name in the right spot.

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.

Opening thoughts about Civil RIghts

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? (Posting due @ 4:00 4-22)

Welcome to blogging!

Instead of keeping a response journal as we have for the other novels that we have studied this year, we are going to share our thoughts and ideas through use of this blog for Warriors Don't Cry. The responses will still be read and graded by me. Rather than getting one large grade at the end of the novel for your response journal, you will get credit for your responses along the way. I hope that we can use this as a way to dig a little deeper into our study of the novel, as well as the Civil Rights era.

A few rules need to be followed to ensure that you earn credit for your hard work:

1. When you post, be sure to include your first name and last initial with your response. Also, please include your room number. For example, Brandon B. Room 302
2. Be sure to spell check your work before you submit your comment.
3. Meet deadlines for submitting your comments.