I remember the first time I saw Bring It On. It was our Blockbuster rental of choice for an impromptu family movie night. I’m not sure how we decided on this particular film, but ’twas fate. I have wanted to be an East Compton Clover ever since. But it was more than that…

The dance routines, the one-liners, the characters, etc. all had quite the impression on my little seven or eight-year-old mind, and my love and appreciation for Bring It On has only grown over the years as it has moved from VHS tapes to Blu-Ray discs and now Netflix.

When I tell people that Bring It On is one of my favorite movies, the reaction usually involves ridicule and laughter. After years of studying this underrated piece of work, I simply take these reactions as misunderstanding.

Although most people may not take a cheerleading movie very seriously, Bring It On is no basic flick about *teen drama*. It is a smart comedy that was way ahead of its time, touching on issues that are now trending in 2016.

While there are controversial and sensitive concepts like race and homosexuality throughout the movie, Bring It On also contains an important, less-explicit lesson on how to deal with another one of the most buzzing topics of the past few years… cultural appropriation. 

Bring It On served us examples of appropriation way before appropriation became a “real” thing via social media and thinkpieces (thank you, Iggy Azalea, for re-igniting the conversation). The Rancho Carne Toros traditionally stealing the Clovers’ moves and routines, using them as their own, benefiting from them, and never acknowledging the Clovers or giving them credit is a prime example. For those that may not know, this is actually exactly what it means to appropriate something. However, the Toros’ team captain, Torrance (played by Kirsten Dunst), takes the necessary steps to break the chain of the squad’s inherited swagger-jacking syndrome.

Torrance is first alerted that The Toros are “borrowing” cheers by the squad’s latest recruit a.k.a. a real friend, Missy (Eliza Dushku). She is essential in making sure that Torrance does not remain ignorant to the problem at hand. Kudos.

Missy drives Torrance to East Compton to let her witness first-hand the Clovers performing one of the same cheers the Toros try to do… but better. After seeing the Toros members in attendance, the Clovers’ captain, Isis (Gabrielle Union), and company come at them hard like a pre-social media version of Black Twitter. They make sure the Toros know they are FOR REAL about getting to Cheer Nationals this year and will no longer allow their petty antics to slide unchallenged.

Following many bouts of embarrassment like this one and after failing to buy their way to success with the infamous Sparky Polastri and his spirit fingers, the Toros come to find that the ultimate key all along is originality. The squad, then, works and studies other styles of dance and movement for inspiration instead of completely ripping them off. We see the influences of these styles, along with the Toros’ own unique flavor added on to them, during their copycat-free routine at Nationals. Yay!

Even though the movie may not include a “dream” ending for the Meat Ranch Toros, they are more proud of their success because they earned it the hard way. They worked to find their own style and learned a lesson in understanding, acceptance, and respect along the way, three important components in minimizing appropriation.

With a dope underlying theme like this one,  Bring It On is right up there with the high school comedy greats – a happy medium between the cynicism of Heathers and the bubbly genius of Mean Girls – but it stays in its respective lane. Although these movies are distinct from one another, they each hone in on the same overall concept – just be you. And as we’ve seen with attempts at subsequent Bring It On movies, one cannot properly replicate or match the original… so stop jocking others and accept your uniqueness!

Netflix is now conveniently streaming Bring It On (and the only acceptable sequel: All or Nothing starring Solange and Hayden Panettiere). In my eyes, there are many messages to be pulled from this classic film. I encourage you to watch and see for yourself!

[It’s also worth noting that the movie includes one of the dopest pop-R&B singles to grace a soundtrack – “As If” by Blaque.]

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Bonus Lesson: Torrance realized that sometimes it is necessary to cut people off when they bring negative energy and unwanted strife into your life. After discovering that her boyfriend Aaron was a lying, cheating dog, she promptly sipped some LEMONADE and gave him a solid “BOY BYE”.