"Nobody would take checks from Indians, nobody would give them any credit, and nobody would let them drink in the bars. There was a rudeness, a brusqueness, with which the Indians were treated constantly. At a very young age, that had entered my consciousness"

This quote by James Welch speaks to the discrimination and mistreatment that Native Americans dealt with in the past. It highlights the disrespect and self-respect that was paid for to them, and how this was something that was ingrained in Welch's consciousness from a young age. The quote speaks to the truth that Native Americans were not enabled to use checks, were rejected credit, and were not enabled to drink in bars. This speaks with the systemic bigotry and bias that Native Americans dealt with, and how it was something that was so pervasive that Welch knew it from a young age. This quote works as a reminder of the oppressions that Native Americans have actually dealt with, and how far we still need to go in regards to attaining true equality.