The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

by Sherman Alexie

Just take a look at the world. Almost all of the rich and famous brown people are artists. They’re singers and actors and writers and dancers and directors and poets.

Do you understand how amazing it is to hear that from an adult? Do you know how amazing it is to hear that from anybody? It’s one of the simplest sentences in the world, just four words, but they’re the four hugest words in the world when they’re put together. You can do it. I can do it.

“Junior,” she said. “I’m so proud of you.” That was the best thing she could have said.