“Depraved” star Marissa Bode has spoken out in opposition to the adverse feedback and jokes about her character Nessarose’s incapacity, calling them “aggressive,” “very gross” and “dangerous.”
In a five-minute video posted on TikTok on Friday, Bode — who makes use of a wheelchair on display screen and in actual life — shared her ideas on the insensitive feedback circulating on-line about Nessarose, the sister of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo).
“It’s completely OK to not like a fictional character,” Bode mentioned. “I’m going to be admitting my bias in the best way that I’ve numerous completely different emotions on Nessa than numerous you do, and that’s completely high-quality. I believe Nessa is complicated, however that’s the great thing about artwork. ‘Depraved’ and these characters and the film wouldn’t be what it was if there weren’t completely different opinions on the characters and who’s actually depraved or not. And never liking Nessa herself is OK. As a result of she is fictional, that’s completely high-quality.”
Bode acknowledged that she is a “deeply unserious particular person,” who doesn’t thoughts “foolish, goofy, innocent” jokes relating to Nessarose’s persona or actions — reiterating that it’s as a result of the “Depraved” character is fictional. Nonetheless, she doesn’t condone “aggressive” feedback and jokes about Nessarose’s incapacity, including that they’re “deeply uncomfortable.”
“Incapacity will not be fictional,” Bode continued. “On the finish of the day, me, Marissa, is the person who remains to be disabled and in a wheelchair. And so, it’s merely a low-hanging fruit that too a lot of you might be snug taking.”
Bode famous that she’s heard many ableist jokes not solely about Nessarose, however about herself. “Earlier than even being solid in ‘Depraved,’ I had obtained feedback — simply as me, as Marissa, not Nessa — across the phrases of ‘get up for your self,’ ‘I assume you’ll be able to’t stand him,’ et cetera,” she mentioned. “These feedback aren’t authentic, and when these jokes are being made by non-disabled strangers with a punchline of not with the ability to stroll, it very a lot looks like laughing at slightly than laughing with.”
She added, “This goes up to now past me, Marissa, simply needing to disregard feedback on the web. These feedback don’t exist in a vacuum. Aggressive feedback of eager to trigger hurt and push Nessa out of her wheelchair, or that she deserves her incapacity, are two very gross and dangerous feedback that actual disabled folks, together with myself, have heard earlier than.”
Bode urged “Depraved” viewers to cease dismissing one another and “claiming an expertise can’t be true since you personally don’t really feel that approach a couple of joke that wouldn’t have affected your demographic anyhow.”
She continued, “Hearken to the folks or to the person who it’s affecting and the way it makes them really feel. Fortunately, I’m at a spot in my life right now the place I can acknowledge these jokes about incapacity are made out of ignorance. I couldn’t say the identical about Marissa 10 years in the past, and it might have affected youthful me much more, and I’m frightened {that a} youthful model of myself is someplace on the web and is harmed by these feedback.”
Bode concluded the video by saying, “Lastly, I wish to say one of many main themes inside ‘Depraved’ is being able to hear and to know each other. And I really hope that’s one thing numerous you’ll be able to follow extra and take with you.”
“Depraved” is at the moment taking part in in theaters.
