give me 2 pieces of textual evidence from the book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
to add to the idea that: Junior comes to understand that belonging is about embracing his true self and accepting others for who they are. He learns that it is not about being accepted by a particular group, but rather about finding genuine connections and building meaningful relationships. Junior's perspective evolves as he navigates the challenges of straddling two worlds, and he ultimately realizes that true belonging is about being valued and loved for who he is, regardless of race or background.
1) "Rowdy was the only one who knew that he was the worst reservation Indian in the world. And after I left, he was the only one who knew how ty my parents were." (Chapter 4)
This quote highlights how Junior's understanding of true belonging shifts from seeking acceptance from his community to finding an authentic connection with someone who knows and accepts him completely. Junior understands that Rowdy's acceptance of him is not dependent on their shared Indian identity, but rather on their deep bond as friends who have experienced similar adversity.
2) "I figured out that maybe it's okay to be a blank-faced Indian to white people. Maybe it's okay to be a goofy cartoonist to Indian people. And maybe those are the best parts of me, the parts I should always keep." (Chapter 29)
This quote demonstrates Junior's realization that true belonging is not about conforming to societal expectations or stereotypes, but about embracing and valuing his authentic self. Junior acknowledges that he does not have to choose between his Native American identity and his passion for cartooning, but rather can find acceptance and love by embracing both aspects of his identity.