In L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is a one-dimensional villain, a shadowy figure of menace. Gregory Maguire’s book Wicked and its subsequent adaptation into a musical transformed the witch into the character “Elphaba,” with a nuanced exploration of how societal narratives shape our understanding of good and evil, and how those narratives come to life in how we communicate.
In the new Wicked movie version of the musical that’s hitting theaters this week, Elphaba, with her green skin and strong will, is judged as “other” long before she has a chance to tell her own story. Played by Tony and Grammy award-winner Cynthia Erivo, the witch is misunderstood, rejected, and maligned — inviting us to examine the labels we place on others.
Glinda the Good Witch, a virtuous counterpart to Elphaba played by global pop star Ariana Grande, asks: “Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”
This question echoes in our own lives, particularly in how we communicate with one another. Much like the magical land of Oz, our world is fraught with biases, harmful assumptions, and systemic inequities. Miscommunication can breed anger, misunderstanding can foster discrimination, and unchecked power can perpetuate harm.
Miscommunication and Harm
One of the most poignant lessons from Wicked is how easily harm can arise from misjudgments and misunderstandings. Elphaba’s green skin becomes a symbol of her alienation — a mark that others use to label her as different, dangerous, and, ultimately, wicked. This kind of labeling mirrors the biases that surface in human interactions. Whether it's an email steeped in discriminatory undertones or a text laced with intimidating language, there are subtle and not-so-subtle ways that communication can inflict harm.
The Power of Perspective
The narrative also highlights how power dynamics influence perceptions of truth and morality. The Wizard’s propaganda machine paints Elphaba as a villain to maintain control over Oz, illustrating how unethical behavior and manipulative communication can damage reputations and destroy lives. Similarly, in workplaces, unethical practices–whether discrimination, threats, harassment, or unfair treatment in business–often stem from communication that prioritizes power over fairness.
Empathy: A Path Forward
If there’s one message to take from Wicked, it’s that understanding and empathy can transform relationships and societies. By challenging the assumptions that define Elphaba as “wicked,” we see her as a complex, vulnerable, and ultimately heroic figure.
Communication as a Tool for Change
Wicked is about magic, love and friendship, but it also reminds us that our words hold power— power to uplift or harm, to include or exclude, to foster understanding or sow division. At Alphy, we believe in harnessing that power for good. By detecting harmful communication and encouraging respectful dialogue, our technology helps individuals and organizations rewrite their narratives in ways that are ethical, lawful, and empathetic.
So, are people born wicked? Or do their words, shaped by circumstance and misunderstanding, make them so? In Oz and beyond, the answer lies in how we choose to communicate — and whether we listen with the intent to understand.
Julian Guthrie is the CEO of Alphy. Before founding Alphy, she spent 20 years at the San Francisco Chronicle and is the author of five nonfiction books.
Reflect AI by Alphy is an AI communication compliance solution that detects and flags language that is harmful, unlawful, and unethical in digital communication. Alphy was founded to reduce the risk of litigation from harmful and discriminatory communication while helping employees communicate more effectively.