Warriors Don't Cry a memoir by Melba Patillo Beals in which she recounts the obstacles she encountered as a teenager trying to acquire education. In 1957 Beals and other eight black children entered Little Rock Central High School. Each of these students had chosen to join an all-white school for various reasons; either it was closer home, offered more courses than their former school, or had a right to attend the school. The move to join Little Rock came after a Supreme Court ruling in the Brown vs. Board of Education, which confirmed the existence of separate all white/black schools as unlawful. The nine students showed great personality and bravery in the face of hardship. Presently, these students are referred to as the Little Rock Nine and have their place in the history of America's civil rights movement. This essay looks at how racial relations changed between the time of integration and 1987 when Melba Patillo met Governor Bill Clinton as captured in Warriors Don't Cry.

Beals begins by portraying the challenges they faced in their quest to acquire education due to racial bias. She says that we "maneuvered our way past the angry mob to enter the side door of Central High." (Beals, 1995) Beals and her colleagues' decision had ignited protests by those who were against black children joining an all-white school. Nonetheless, the students braved the mob, which even entered the school to throw them out. It became worse that President Eisenhower had to use the army to guard the black students all day long in school. Beals, in her memoir, says that together with her counterparts, they paid for the integration of Central High with their innocence and endured both physical and psychological punishment.

Looking back at these events, by the time Beals met Governor Clinton in 1987, she expected that the fight for human rights could have been won. She says that "if you had asked me in 1957 what I expected, I would have told you by this time our struggle for human rights would have been won." (Beals, 1995) Beals acknowledges that racial prejudice still exists in America despite decades of fighting for human rights. She is puzzled by the racial relations in America, but she still holds on to her grandmother's words no matter how challenging the battle is, warriors should keep going. From her grandmother, she also holds that each individual's responsibility is to stand and fight for their rights rather than waiting upon doomed hope.

Nonetheless, Beals acknowledges that since 1957 there has been significant progress in bridging racial relations in America. Despite being puzzled by racial relations in America, Beals is hopeful since what her grandmother said to her is visible-that with time and love; God unravels our challenges. (Beals, 1995) This is seen when Beals visits Central High in 1987 for the initial reunion black and white residents of little rock shake hands. Additionally, a white man greeted Beals and gave her directions even though he could not recognize her from newspaper photos. Beal's interaction with Governor Bill Clinton in his house depicts not only progress in bridging racial relations but also creates a feeling of content. Accompanied by her eight colleagues, Beals hung out with Bill enjoying soft drinks and peanuts; Bill displayed respect for their contribution to civil rights. The reunion and the visit to Bill's house became treasurable moments.

Since the time of integration to 1987, when Beals met Bill Clinton, racial relations in America had made significant progress. Despite racial prejudice against black Americans persisting, schools' integration and the events during the reunion depict progress. This progress is a result of an ongoing fight against racial discrimination. Therefore Black people can only continue to stand and fight for their rights rather than doomed hope.