Finally saw "Cuties"...

I find it deeply beautiful, nuanced, and about so, so, much more than what the outrage is all about.

Puberty is confusing, but being a first-generation African girl growing up in a Western country makes it tougher.

"Cuties" captures that tension well

"Cuties" is so much more than just her dancing in a troop.

It's about freedom, questions of d, the lives of girls and women outside of the male gaze, and what it is like to have to process conflicting messages about what it means to be preparing for womanhood."

"Cuties" filmmaker is a French Senegalese woman-- the film indeed feels deeply authentic and relatable-- from the colors of the African fabrics, to the experimentation with hair straightening...

And yes, jollof rice makes an appearance!

These are the stories we need.

Your discomfort with watching a young black girl trying to explore what it means to be a woman does not equal child pornography, lol.

Or is youthful exploration only afforded to boys and white people?

Most of the outrage is not only from people who have not seen "Cuties", but who have no idea about West African immigrant culture and what its like having to try to fit in as a girl.

I do, and that was before the days of the internet and social media. It must be 10x harder now.

Also, I wonder how many people who are outraged know anything about American dance competition culture? The outfits, the makeup, and yes--- the moves.

"Dance Moms" is fine for Americans, but "Cuties" is vilified. Tell me, what is the difference?