Brown Masculinities, Quick and Swinging

Curator's Note

In Ugly Betty, ABC's hit sitcom, Justin is Betty's twelve-year-old nephew. He is a queer pre-pubescent Latino, which makes him a radical characterization of Latino masculinity. His sexuality and gender are constructed within a system of masculinities that includes the gentle, loving masculinity of his grandfather (Ignacio), and the thuggish violent masculinity of his estranged father (Santos). In this clip, we see Justin perform a musical in NY City subway, a space for difference. That Santos steps up to defend Justin's right to queerly sing and dance gives viewers a glimpse that the narrative will eventually recuperate Santos' masculinity into a narrative of hope. If even thuggish Santos can embrace his queer son, shouldn't we all?