9 Years Ago, the Writers of "Ugly Betty" Got it Right
So I dived back into watching "Ugly Betty," because Hulu released it on their website after Caitlyn Jenner was all anyone could ever talk about. If you haven't seen the show, it is centered around a young brace faced girl, hired for being a plain jane to work for a high end fashion magazine, in order to distract the editor-in-chief from sleeping with everyone.
But it's not just about an "ugly" character. The writers of "Ugly Betty," told so many lessons. Fitting to say the least, given the monumental events that have been recently occuring here in the states. Justin, nephew of main character Betty, is a young high school boy who is finally ready to come out about his sexuality. In the show, we see Justin's struggles of being comfortable with who he is. Overall, his family's reaction is one we wish more families would have in real life. They were immediately accepting, and loving of Justin being able to finally feel good in his own skin.
Then there was Alexis, previously known as Alex, brother to editor-in-chief, Daniel. A transgender woman who was so scared to tell her family what was happening, that she faked her own death. Although at first it was a bit of a struggle to come back home, when she did, she did it with confidence. In reality, I can only imagine how scary and difficult it can be to be yourself, when it isn't considered the "norm". Which is what the show is all about..being yourself.
The meaning of family is also a strong suit in the show. Through petty fights and arguments, we see the Suarez family constantly coming back together to support one another through the hardest and most emotional decisions. There is an incredible amount of lessons in the show that the writers definitely got right 9 years ago. Even if you have already seen the show, another binge watch of it couldn't hurt. It reminded me what life is all about.
To understand that everyone has their own struggles and their own personal stories. When times get tough, ask for help and don't give up. If you can change one person's life for the better in the most minimal way, then you are doing something right. There's a little kindness in everyone.
Happy Reading!
xo,
Christine