More people should like Gil. I'm serious.
Maybe not as a person, but at the very least, as a character. Or even just APPRECIATE him. Because his story is insanely important, even to this day.
I know at first glance, when most people look at Gil, all they can see is an idiotic teen boy who lets his family's racism hurt his girlfriend. But it's SO much more than that.
What it really is, is a young boy who is struggling but trying his best to break free of the systematic bigotry forced onto him by his parents.
His character is so relevant because every day, kids around the world are being taught to hate, and since it's by their families, they can't find a way to overcome this hatred. Gil shows kids that there's a way to unlearn this. He shows kids how important it is to question their parents' judgements of others.
His and Lagoona's story shows kids that there are white people who are offput by your culture and the color of your skin, and will do anything to try and convince you to become "clean." But they also teach kids that your culture isn't something to hide. That you don't need to hide your religious practices or straighten your hair or be ashamed of your accent or lighten your skin or ANYTHING. AND it teaches white kids to accept and appreciate those very differences in others. Not to mention the promotion it does for interracial relationships, which unfortunately, is still debated even in 2026.
You can hate Gil, but remember, he represents very real teenagers in the REAL world who are working to get better and learn how to love again.
People can change. And we need to promote this change. Your past doesn't define you.