by Scarlett Mercurio-Corao
Pete, An Inspiration
Brave and confident, effortlessly himself no matter what people say, the main character, Pete in the short film Pete, continues to stay true to himself, even if it was 1975 in Florida, when and where near no one would accept Pete changing into himself.
Pete, a heroic symbol to the many kids going through what did, continued to play boy’s baseball when all those angry moms yelled. He later recovered and kept playing baseball and being a kid. When Pete is about to do his baseball match, he crosses off his dead name and instead writes Pete; this tells me Pete is bold and not easily overshadowed. Pete inspires me by not being ashamed of his identity.
Pete inspires me by transitioning at such a young age. At that time most moms would have been horrified at having a transgender kid, but Pete didn’t care and told his mom anyway. Pete is now so much happier and it’s easier for Pete to do the things he loves to do that are more generalized with boys. Pete was inspirational by simply being himself and having the bravery to tell his mother and join the baseball team.
I learned that you should always be yourself. In my own life, I share a similar experience to Pete because we both transitioned from female to another gender. I was in second grade when I realized I didn’t feel quite like a girl and I’m still finding myself now that I’m in fourth grade. I first shared it with my parents, like Pete did, and then my friends. For most of my friends and family, they were really accepting, but my struggle is teaching people to use the correct pronouns. Pete’s struggle was that it was 1975 in Florida. For me, it is easier because I live in San Francisco and it’s 2023.
This film inspired me. I don’t want this to be an ordinary, plain essay, with “this reason,” “next reason,” and “in conclusion.” I want this to leave a mark.