Elphaba's "Otherness" Reflects The Black Woman Experience...Here's How

Before I even got the opportunity to watch Wicked, social media had various opinions about Elphaba and her race. Some were upset that the actress portraying the proclaimed “wicked witch,” Cynthia Erivo, was Black, while others questioned why she wasn’t cast for the role of Glinda. I personally did not read the book, however, I do know that the author of Wicked, Gregory Maguire, did not assign either a racial identity, but the story did give them a family history, distinctive personalities, and challenges just as any other fictional character, and essentially real life human beings. While many may have their own perspective on the casting of Elphaba, I believe having a Black woman play this role makes the most sense.

Here’s why…

Elphaba’s green skin automatically sets her apart from everyone around her. In the movie, she was not accepted by her father, isolated, ridiculed, feared, and ultimately shunned from society. She did not have friends aside from her sister, and spent her entire life being pre-judged by the world. Contrary to Glinda, who is beautiful, liked, popular, and generally accepted by society, Elphaba never knew what it meant to have people in her corner, until she met Madame Morrible, who eventually ended up trying to use Elphaba’s powers and kindness to her own advantage. 

In comparison to Black women in today’s society - especially in previous years - Elphaba’s story shares many similarities. For example, when you think about Black women in a professional setting, specifically the workplace, they often encounter many challenges due to preconceived notions. We (I use “we” because I am a Black woman myself)  might be stereotyped because of our name, hair, or categorized as “angry,” “ghetto,” or “too much,” when we voice our opinions on a particular matter. We sometimes fall victim to ridiculous microaggressions, such as the “you speak proper for a Black girl” or asking if we’re sure we aren’t mixed because of our hair texture. Aside from that, we earn less than other races with the same, if not similar roles. 

Comparable to Elphaba who represents the theme of “otherness,” Black women are often marginalized and in most cases feel disconnected from society. Throughout the movie, Elphaba would hide her frustrations about the way she was treated. She would brush it off or give answers to questions about her appearance before being asked, also known as preemptive self-disclosure. She tried to make it seem like it wasn’t a big deal, when in reality, it hurt her. Not to mention, she normalized being judged, feared, and excluded. 

The idea of feeling “seen” is another theme that arises throughout Wicked, and one scene in particular that stood out to me was the moment Glinda actually “saw” Elphaba. This was after tricking her into wearing a hat that she knew people would make fun of her for and finding out that she told Madame Morrible that in order for her to continue taking classes with her she would have to include Glinda. Shocked and regretting the way she treated Elphaba, Glinda knew she had to make amends. When Elphaba had her dance moment on the floor with the crowd still laughing at her, Glinda joined in. This was a moment of solidarity for the both of them. As the tears fell down Elphaba’s cheeks, Glinda comforted her. This was when Glinda actually saw Elphaba for who she really is internally - a selfless, caring person with a huge heart. 

In the end of the movie we find out that the Wizard and Madame Morrible are working together to maintain power and control over Oz. Once Elphaba finds out that these two are essentially trying to enslave and silence the animals of Oz - a feeling Elphaba knows very well. Keep in mind Elphaba is extremely powerful and the only one who can connect with the Grimmerie, which is the book of magic, they try to manipulate her into essentially working with them to control all of Oz. Once the Wizard and Madame Morrible realize Elphaba is not going to assist in their evil scheme, they spread false lies about her to the public. This is similar to Black women’s struggle and how we are posed as a “threat” by those who have higher positions in power. Instead of seeing us as equal or someone who could potentially add value, they try to silence us or completely tear us down to where we feel like we aren’t good enough.

Overall, this movie was a 10 out of 10. I absolutely loved it! After hearing that people were leaving the theater crying, and being told that this movie touched them, I already knew I was going to be one of them. I can’t count the times I have felt othered because of the color of my skin, or categorized as being “too much” after voicing the same opinion as someone of another race or even lighter skin. I felt her pain. I felt her struggle. And most importantly, I saw her.