Marissa Bode Criticizes Offensive Jokes About Her Character's Disability in Wicked
Wicked Star Marissa Bode Addresses Harmful Jokes About Disability
Source: TooFab
Marissa Bode's Stand Against Disability Jokes
Marissa Bode, the star of the film Wicked, has spoken out against "gross" and "harmful" jokes targeting her character, Nessarose, who has a disability. In a candid TikTok video, she expressed her discomfort with the kind of humor that trivializes real disabilities:
- "At the end of the day, me, Marissa, is the person that is still disabled and in a wheelchair."
- Bode emphasized that making light of her character's disability represents a deeper societal issue that extends beyond her personal experience.
Emphasizing the Impact of Jokes
Bode highlighted specific harmful comments she has faced, including wishes for her character to be harmed due to her disability. She stated:
- "Aggressive comments of wanting to cause harm and push Nessa out of her wheelchair... are two very gross and harmful comments that real disabled people, including myself, have heard before."
- The actress pointed out that jokes often come from a place of laughter at the expense of disabled individuals rather than with them.
Encouraging Understanding and Compassion
In her message, Bode stressed the importance of recognizing the humanity of disabled individuals and called on non-disabled individuals to:
- Unlearn their biases and ableism.
- Engage with the disability rights movement and understand the realities faced by disabled people.
A Call for Change
Bode acknowledged the fear and backlash that often accompany speaking out on ableism but encouraged others facing similar challenges to stand firm:
- She noted that these discussions are essential for creating an understanding society, which resonates with one of the major themes of Wicked: the importance of listening and understanding one another.
- Bode hopes that those who make such jokes will reflect on their actions and strive for greater empathy.
Ultimately, Bode's courageous stance aims to bring awareness to the hurtful nature of ableism in entertainment and encourages individuals to foster a culture of respect and dignity for all, particularly within the realm of representation.
