She went through hell boldly entering an all-white high school with eight other black teens during a time and a part of the United States that wasn't overjoyed about integration. Some kids and adults didn't mind, but some people went out of their way to remind the black kids that they didn't approve of their presence inside the school. I think she was trying to encourage the reader to pursue your dreams. If you get knocked down, get back up. Your future success is the sweetest revenge you can inflict upon your antagonists. You can look back and think, "I accomplished my goals in spite of your self-involved, puerile attitude."
