Race or color Essay

â€Å"To live anywhere in the world today and be against equality because of race or color is like living in Alaska and being against snow†. This famous observation of William Faulkner sums up the present attitude of the people towards discrimination based on color. It is hard to believe that a few decades earlier, unimaginable atrocities have been meted out against a particular section of the society just because their skin color was considered inferior. The real life story, â€Å"Warriors don’t cry† written by Melba Patillo Beals highlights the invincible hurdles faced by a group of ten black students just to acquire a basic education on par with the other students. The events narrated in the book from chapter 12 to chapter 20 leaves one stoned about the heartless abuse that these children had to undergo. A separate army consisting of 1200 soldiers is employed to ensure the safety of these ten children on the first day of their school. Despite this arrangement, there is violence and a threat to the children’s lives, thanks to the fanatic hatred of the segregationists towards the black people. Braving all odds, Melba and her friends continue their education in the school, but every day they are tormented with abuses and unfair treatments even by the school authorities. These chapters give heart-wrenching details of the physical and mental violence against Melba and her friends. Even though a few white girls were sympathetic to Melba’s situation, they could not help her because of threats from the segregationists. It is difficult to believe that even the school authorities did not help their cause. They discriminated against her by excluding her from all festivities and events. Even on her birthday, when Melba defended herself from violence, she was suspended for attacking the whites. After reading the horrible and terrifying accounts of Melba, one cannot avoid admiring the grit and perseverance with which she and her friends pursued their education. After reading these chapters, I felt relieved and thankful for the fact that such discrimination is not existent today. The first African-American president of The United States, Mr. Obama is a proof of this advancement.