India, who constantly reminds her of her purpose in following God, to which the book's title is named, Warriors Don't Cry. "You're a warrior on the battlefield for your Lord. God's warriors don't cry, 'cause they trust that he's always by their side. The women of this family don't break down in the face of trouble. We act with courage, and with God's help, we ship trouble right on out" (57). Grandmother India also instills the powerful notion that women are strong and capable of taking charge of their own lives and she uses Melba's mother as an example of being one of the first to integrate the University of Arkansas. "Forward is the only way our people can march. You're supposed to carry this banner for our people" (12); she explains when Melba starts to reconsider. Grandmother India makes Melba aware that by participating in the desegregation, she will serve as a positive example of what the black race can achieve. So, Melba sets her hopes high of indulging in an experience that her old school, Horace Mann High couldn't offer. After two years of battling within the court system, Melba and her dreams quickly turn to a mission of survival upon entering Central High.
             In September of 1957, fifteen-year-old, Melba and her family faced their first day of school, which turned out to be the first lesson of the hell, her, and eight other classmates were to be entangled in. Outside the school, hundreds of mothers, fathers, children, and friends chanted ignorant words of hatred directed at the act of integration that grew overwhelming to the nine students. The nine students were forced from entering the high school for twenty-two days that eventually led to the President summoning the shield of the 101st Airborne Division. Thr
             ...