Warriors Don't Cry

Content Warning: Chapter 2 contains an account of the attempted rape of the author.

In 2007, 50 years after the initial integration of Little Rock Central High School and now 65 years old, Melba pens an update to her memoir. She describes gathering in front of the state capitol for the unveiling of a statue commemorating her and other members of the Little Rock Nine. It is ironic to her that she gathered there, since it was the place the Klan had gathered in 1957 to decide how to keep the Little Rock Nine from integrating Central.

She writes about the changes that have happened but also expresses that the Civil Rights movement needs to continue because there is still much work to do: “I remain a warrior on the battlefield that I must not leave. I continue to be a warrior who does not cry but who instead takes action. If one person is denied equality, we are all denied equality” (iv).

Melba says she was born on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941, implying that drama, great challenges, and unexpected events will follow her throughout her life.

Melba almost dies as an infant when, after an emergency surgery, the medical staff does not follow through on the doctor’s post-operative instructions.