‘Wicked’s Marissa Bode Calls Out Ableist Nessarose Wheelchair Jokes

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As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, I wholeheartedly commend Marissa Bode for her courageous and poignant stance against ableism. Her personal experience as an actress with a disability, particularly in portraying Nessarose in Wicked, grants her a unique perspective on the impact of insensitive jokes about disability that are far too common in our society.

Marissa Bode, the actress portraying Elphaba’s sister in the acclaimed film adaptation of Wicked, is bravely acknowledging and addressing the detrimental effects that derogatory comments about her character’s (and by extension, her own) disability can have on young wheelchair users. We appreciate her candor and her efforts to shed light on this important issue.

In a fresh TikTok video shared by ScreenRant, Bode addresses able-bodied individuals who make lighthearted comments about her character Nessarose’s lack of mobility in the series, emphasizing an essential difference between jokes that demean people based on their inherent traits and those that are merely fictional attributes of a fictional persona.

Marissa Bode Speaks Out Against Commenters’ Ableism And Its Harmful Impact

In this video, the actress clarifies that it’s perfectly fine not to be fond of a fictional character like Nessa, as individual feelings can vary greatly. She herself has mixed feelings about Nessa compared to many others, and that’s perfectly acceptable. In her view, Nessa is a complex character, which means disliking her as a person is understandable.

Bode continued by stating that she’s more playful than serious, finding humor in various parts of the movie, including aspects related to Nessa’s character. It’s worth noting that while the world and personality of Nessa are part of a storyline, the actress herself uses a wheelchair in real life, which is mirrored on-screen. Making light of Nessa’s disability within the context of the story is inappropriate because disabilities are not fictional or make-believe.

Bode clarifies that these remarks lack creativity. When humor based on disability comes from people who aren’t disabled themselves and the joke relies on the inability to walk, it often feels more like mocking than sharing a laugh together.

She sadly admits that one of the most challenging aspects of this situation is her fear of discussing or mentioning it openly, which is actually the primary motivation behind creating this video. As she addresses the camera, she reveals that her hands are trembling slightly due to her apprehension.

She points out that the internet comments extend far beyond mere indifference for Marissa, and instead, she finds them deeply troubling. These comments don’t exist in isolation; they are part of a larger, disturbing narrative. Regrettable comments such as threats to harm or force Nessa out of her wheelchair, or suggestions that she deserves her disability, are not uncommon among the experiences of disabled individuals, including myself.

Speaking up courageously, she knows full well the potential harsh responses from certain internet bullies. However, it’s equally crucial. Bode testifies to the experiences of her disabled peers who have been vocal against ableism online, only to face backlash. She also highlights the damaging impact of jokes about standing or being called a vegetable – terms often used derogatorily towards disabled people, as exemplified by a comment about Nessa.

When I come across jokes about disabilities made by those who aren’t disabled themselves, I often find myself pointing out the inconsistency and explaining why such humor is problematic. It’s crucial for us to address this cognitive dissonance openly because it contributes significantly to fostering a more inclusive society.

Instead of instantly discrediting each other and asserting that an experience isn’t valid because it doesn’t resonate with you personally, given that the joke might not have been intended for your group, take a moment to listen to the people, or the individual, who are impacted by it, understanding their perspective and emotions.

Fortunately, I’m at a stage in my life now where I can understand these disability jokes stem from a lack of knowledge—something I couldn’t say about the me 10 years ago. To conclude, this video, Bode notes a heartfelt thought: Such humor would have deeply impacted the younger version of myself, and I worry that there might be a younger version of me out there being hurt by these comments online.

Indeed, one key message from “Wicked” revolves around the importance of empathy and active listening to each other, as she rightly emphasizes. May it be something many of you strive to cultivate and carry forward in your lives.

Kudos to Bode for bravely addressing the genuine effect such “jokes” may have on individuals, especially when they touch upon characteristics someone can’t alter regarding their physical appearance. Here’s wishing his words inspire a shift in perspective among some people, fostering positive change.

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2024-12-02 02:07