By way of Indianz.com, Heidi Bell Gease's Rapid City Journal article American Indians unable to escape shadow of subtle racism:
True, Rapid City has changed over time. Area businesses no longer post signs stating, "No Indians Allowed." People are less likely to make blatantly racist remarks in public.But Indian people, who comprise about 10 percent of Rapid City's population, say racism hasn't gone away. It has simply become more subtle.
[. . .]Shopping While Indian
Paying the bill can be the worst part. Chris Eyre, the award-winning director of films like "Smoke Signals" and "Skins" who now lives in Rapid City, was in the checkout line at a local grocery store when the clerk told him, "If you're using food stamps, go to the other line."
Eyre's wife, Lori Pourier, said he laughed it off, but he did ask the clerk what criteria determined who was asked about food stamps.
[Tara]Hatzenbuhler had a similar experience at another local supermarket. When her grocery bill was totaled, she pulled out a credit card. "The woman said, 'Well you didn't tell me you weren't paying with food stamps,'" Hatzenbuhler said. "It made me feel like it was my fault I didn't tell her."
That still angers her. "Don't turn it around and make me feel guilty for your ignorance," she said.
Links added to the film titles, because I felt like it.
And they might make nice rentals for the evening. Saw "Smoke Signals" but not "Skins," and The Business of Fancydancing is in video release now. . .
Saw "Smoke Signals" in the theatre, and recently rented it on DVD. I think the New York Public Library still doesn't have "The Business of Fancydancing" on DVD/video, altho I did borrow the book a couple months ago.