Why "Bring It On" is Problematic
"Bring it On" is a 2000 teen comedy film that tells the story of a high school cheerleading squad that discovers that their routines have been stolen from another team. While the movie was popular upon its release and has become a cult classic in the years since, it has also been criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and perpetuating problematic themes. Here are the reasons I think "Bring it On" is problematic and don’t let my athletes watch it at team parties:
Cultural Appropriation: One of the most significant issues with "Bring it On" is its portrayal of cultural appropriation. In the movie, the white cheerleaders appropriate the style and culture of the primarily Black and Latino cheerleading squad that they are competing against. This reinforces harmful stereotypes and contributes to the erasure of cultural identity.
Racial Stereotyping: Another issue with "Bring it On" is its use of racial stereotypes. The primarily Black and Latino cheerleading squad is portrayed as being "ghetto" and "rough," while the white cheerleaders are portrayed as being more refined and sophisticated. This perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces the idea that certain races are inherently better than others.
Body Shaming: "Bring it On" also perpetuates harmful body shaming messages. The movie portrays the thin, conventionally attractive white cheerleaders as being the ideal, while the curvier and more athletic Black and Latino cheerleaders are marginalized and ridiculed. This reinforces harmful beauty standards and contributes to body image issues.
LGBTQ+ Representation: "Bring it On" also lacks representation of the LGBTQ+ community. Despite the fact that cheerleading has historically been a space for LGBTQ+ athletes, the movie completely ignores this aspect of the sport.
Leadership and Representation: The leadership positions in "Bring it On" are also problematic. The white cheerleader, who has stolen routines from another team, is portrayed as a strong and competent leader, while the primarily Black and Latino cheerleading squad is led by a male coach who is portrayed as being inept and unhelpful. This reinforces harmful gender and racial stereotypes and perpetuates the idea that certain groups are inherently better suited for leadership roles.
In conclusion, "Bring it On" is a problematic movie that perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reinforces outdated beauty standards. The movie's portrayal of cultural appropriation, racial stereotyping, body shaming, lack of LGBTQ+ representation, and manipulative leadership positions all contribute to the negative themes in the movie. While "Bring it On" may have been popular upon its release, and still, honestly, a fun watch today, it is important to recognize and challenge these elements of the film in order to promote more inclusive and empowering representations of cheerleading and its athletes.
