Concerns Arise Over Misinformation and Political Labeling of ‘Wicked’ Character Elphaba

In a thought-provoking analysis from London, attorney Dennis Gorecho draws striking parallels between the popular film “Wicked” and the contemporary challenges of activism, propaganda, and social division in the Philippines.

The story of Elphaba, the green-skinned witch stigmatized for her appearance, serves as a powerful metaphor for modern-day activists who face prejudice and discrimination. According to Gorecho, Elphaba’s character arc mirrors the experience of individuals targeted by “red-tagging” – a dangerous practice in the Philippines where people are falsely labeled as communists or terrorists.

“The film is a manifestation of how truth becomes distorted through propaganda under the present ‘fake news’ climate,” Gorecho writes, having recently viewed the movie during his flight to London.

The analysis highlights how Elphaba’s green skin represents visible differences – whether racial, physical, political, or ability-based – that make individuals targets for discrimination. Despite her exceptional talents, Elphaba faces constant prejudice from a society unwilling to look beyond her appearance.

Particularly relevant to current socio-political dynamics is the Wizard character’s cynical strategy, captured in his line: “The best way to bring folks together is to give them a really good enemy.” This approach, Gorecho argues, mirrors contemporary political tactics where manufactured enemies are used to distract and divide populations.

The film’s depiction of how the Wizard spreads misinformation about talking animals to portray them as dangerous criminals parallels the real-world proliferation of fake news. Social media has become a battleground where misinformation influences everything from politics and health to current events and elections, often serving those in power.

Gorecho’s analysis takes on urgent relevance in light of a recent Philippine Supreme Court ruling. In the case of Deduro v. Maj. Gen. Vinoya (July 2023), the Court explicitly declared red-tagging “a threat to people’s life, liberty, and security.” Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen emphasized that this practice is deployed by military and paramilitary units to silence dissenters and can lead to severe human rights abuses.

The consequences of such labeling are severe – harassment, surveillance, threats, fabricated charges, and even physical violence or extrajudicial killings. Gorecho points to a disturbing recent example: dehumanizing language on social media mocking the deaths of activists, including two University of the Philippines students killed during a military operation in Negros Occidental.

“What is ‘wicked’ is in the eye of the beholder,” Gorecho notes, emphasizing the film’s message about questioning our perceptions and recognizing how easily we can be influenced by propaganda and fear-mongering.

The timing of this analysis is particularly poignant given the escalating tensions in the Philippines surrounding activism and human rights. As social media continues to amplify polarization, Gorecho’s examination of “Wicked” provides a cultural framework for understanding the dangerous mechanisms of public manipulation.

Beyond entertainment, the film offers viewers a lens through which to examine social divisions, prejudices, and the complex nature of good and evil. In an era where information warfare shapes public perception, Gorecho’s analysis serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and resistance to manufactured narratives.

Through this cultural critique, Gorecho invites readers to consider how easily perceptions can be manipulated and how costly such manipulation can be for those branded as enemies of the state simply for advocating for rights and justice.