RACISM AND ITS EFFECTS ON LITERATURE
             Racial segregation and discrimination is prevalent throughout literature and it is no accident. Racism in literature stems logically from the experiences of the authors and the treatment of minority's. Throughout Braided Lives, there were many short stories that dealt with pain and suffering because of racism. Each author has personal experiences in racism, and expressed how racism made them feel through their writings. Not being allowed in a restaurant, drink from an ordinary water fountain, or even judged before speaking is what several minorities went through in the short stories of Braided Lives. With their voices not heard minorities turned to literature. Braided Lives is not only a book of short stories but actual situations and events that occurred to real people. As Dian Glancy stated in her introductory essay "The Fire Dragon and Sweat", these are "stories of resilience, defiance, power, vision, toughness, pain, loss, anger, sarcasm, a humiliation built on welfare, a humor built on irony" (14).
             Culture and tradition for most minorities has been the stronghold, which they have held on to. With repeated attempts of abolishment Native Americans still try to keep their heritage strong throughout daily life while still trying to survive the troubles of society. Diane Glancy in "The Fire Dragon And Sweat" stated: "I like to see Indians at pow-wows in lawn chairs eating snow cones. Indians concerned with tribal elections, bingo, bowling leagues, veterans' reunions, and doing what most Americans do" (14). Native Americans don't want to change their culture or heritage in order to be accepted, but include it throughout their daily lives. In Linda Hogans "Making Do", many Native Americans dealt with prejudice by protesting. "We get angry and scream out. We get in the news. We strip ourselves bare in the colleges that recruit
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