JSX and React's a little different though, because its downright easy to use without. I prefer JSX, but typing div(null, { style: 'foo' }) isn't much harder than <div style="foo" />, if a little uglier.
And then you have tons of libraries to make it nicer.
Just like people used to say that you don't need to use JSX to write React.
What's the point of using a heavy duty, opinionated framework without embracing it completely? that's just bound to get you into a whole lot of hurt.