The colored children were raised by their parents who taught them to expect racism andsegregation and to even accept it because any opposition to the white people meantharsher penalties and even more laws to be passed. This was a major reason why evensome blacks opposed the integration of colored children into the white schools and intothe white society. They figured that even though the conditions and quality of theirchildren's education was not as good as the whites, at least they would be able to live in apeaceful, non-violent way. Melba recalled a confrontation with a woman at church whomshe had known for many years. As she put it, "I was startled when a woman I'd seen oftenenough but didn't really know began lecturing me. For a moment I feared she was evengoing to haul off and hit me. She was beside herself with anger. I could barely get mygood morning in because she was talking very loud, attracting attention as she told me Iwas too fancy for my britches and the other people in our community would pay for myuppity need to be with white folks." Well, the students refused to go down without anintense struggle. The NAACP, led by Daisy Bates, organized boycotts against whitebusinesses in Little Rock and even took the case to federal court, where it became anationwide constitutional crisis. Churches held vigils and prayer meetings, and blackfriends united together in community efforts to clean up the town and prove theiracceptability. Beals held on tightly to her religious views and kept her faith in Godthroughout the entire ordeal. She felt that as long as she was humble and steadfast, thenthe Lord would reward her in the end. Her faith in God was her one true hope wheneverything else had failed her and she felt like giving up. Melba also found strength in hergrandmother, who was always there for her in the roughest times. Her grandma alwaysknew the right thing to say at the right time in order to provide support and comfort. OnSept...
