I wanted to share my latest post from my blog, Sublimefemme Unbound, with everyone here. Post and pic at http://sublimefemme.wordpress.com/.
When I was a kid and The Wizard of Oz came on TV every year, my little sister and I would always watch it, knowing that the appearance of the Witch would scare my sister into leaping under a table or bed, while I soaked it all in, riveted: the flash of green and black, the awe-inspiring powers (I want to fly too!), the dutiful flying monkeys, the sheer drama of it all.
In addition to her supernatural powers, the Wicked Witch oversees an empire. She has a fleet of flying monkeys who do her bidding and an army of solidiers defending her castle. Thanks to her kick-ass crystal ball, she has the power to see and know all. If she just talked about her spirituality a little, she'd be Oprah on a broomstick!
I always come out as a fan of the Wicked Witch, but people are often surprised or puzzled. I even had a friend recently tell me-after seeing the musical Wicked (which is fantastic, by the way)-that I reminded him of Glinda. Glinda has grown on me over the years, I'll admit, and she's pretty adorable in Wicked. But it's very strange to have someone compare me with her, because, well, I'm so *not* Glinda. To me, this has everything to do with my style of (queer) femininity. People see me as Glinda for reasons that are unclear to me-because I'm pretty? high femme? However girly I may be, I identify with others who defy convention, make gender trouble, and question authority. Radicals. Outsiders. Bad girls.
So in that spirit, I want to offer a few words of praise for my Femme Icon, the Wicked Witch. Unlike the typical femme fatale whose power lies in her sexuality, the Wicked Witch claims a form of authority-the power to control her universe-that's usually reserved for men. She's not conventionally pretty, but her "beautiful wickedness" makes her tremendously charismatic. She's not afraid to be a bitch to get what she wants. And last but not least, she has great nails, accessories, and a signature fashion "look" that continues to be influential today!
Today's question: Who's your favorite character in The Wizard of Oz, Wicked or The Wiz? Books, films, or musicals are all fair game!
Answer here or at Sublimefemme Unbound. http://sublimefemme.wordpress.com/
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After reading Wicked, I was totally sold on how great the Wicked Witch is. Some brat stole her dead sister's shoes, WTH? I'd be pissed too and want my sister's awesome shoes back.
Though, I will admit, I hated watching the Wizard of Oz when I was younger because the Wicked Witch scared me. Also, I really didn't like the scene when she got killed. I think I was turned off by how one of the Wicked Witch's cronies said "You killed her." Strange pet peeve I guess.
In conclusion, the Wicked Witch rocks.
I agree. The Wicked Witch is a bit misunderstood. But I'm always perceived as a Dorothy, though I do look like her and own a really cute pair of sparkly red slippers. The Wicked Witch is obviously a strong, powerful woman in her own right and, negative qualities aside, I would want her fighting on my side more than Dorothy or Glenda because she's obviously a strong, intelligent woman who has a lot of power and influence.
I love the musical Wicked. I love how Elphaba is always strong, doesn't take peoples' shit, and when she needs to leave Oz, Glinda is able to stand up for herself and take control because of the influence Elphaba had on her. In the first half of the play, Glinda has the whole 'dumb blond' stereotype clinging onto her, and it's played for laughs, but she is able to get past that to become truly strong.
Kind of the same way I feel about Amneris in Aida, though that could have the implications of "black woman comes into white woman's life in order to change her into the Leader" (something Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu would call the 'Super-Duper Magical Negro'), but that's a whole nother story.
I agree--who wouldn't want those awesome ruby slippers back after they were stolen?!
Thanks all for the comments. I'm glad I'm not alone in my affection for Elphaba a.k.a the Wicked Witch!