Warriors Don't Cry

Readers may note that Melba is euphemistic in her word choices. While she does not hesitate to report the use of the word n***** as a racial epithet against her constantly, she never resorts to the sort of vulgar swear words that surely accompanied the use of the n-word. Additionally, whenever two different words or phrases might serve to describe a questionable act or circumstance, Melba invariably uses the less offensive expression. For example, when she refers to the practice of summary execution of Black citizens, which is virtually always called “lynching,” Melba uses the term “hanging.” She only briefly uses the term “rape” when describing the incident in which she was sexually assaulted and narrowly avoided rape. Melba consistently refers to those who attack the nine as “segregationists” rather than “racists” or “white supremacists.” When meeting with Link secretly for the first time, she expresses her misgiving about why he might want to meet with her with the euphemistic statement, “The only thing a white man ever wants with one of our women is personal favors” (197).

Readers may ask why Melba delicately couches her language choices when dealing with such potentially graphic topics. As a journalist, Melba’s goal is to portray the reality of what she experienced precisely as it happened.