#BeMoreElphaba: what can we learn from ‘Wicked: For Good?’
One of the most eagerly awaited film releases of this year was the second part of the ‘Wicked’ franchise. What does that have to do with Restore, I hear you ask? Well…
Spoiler alert!
I’ll try my best to avoid spoilers for those of you who are planning to see the movie but haven’t yet had to opportunity to do so. However, in order to provide a bit of background for the uninitiated: ‘Wicked tells the alternative viewpoint of the story from ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ focussing on the so-called ‘Wicked’ witch of the west. Broadly speaking, Wicked part one tells the history of the relationship between Elphaba (the ‘wicked’ witch) and Glinda (‘the good’) as they move from mutual loathing to BFFs. Elphaba is subjected to daily abuse from her family and peers due to the greenish hue of her skin, which has shaped her character into someone who will champion the rights of any underdog or outcast. Part one concludes with Elphaba being unjustly labelled as ‘Wicked’ by the Wizard of Oz and his accomplice Madam Morrible, because she has taken a stand to protect the rights of talking animals, a group whom the Wizard and Morrible have labelled deviant and tried to cast out from society. Part two (or ‘Wicked: for good’) continues the story of Elphaba’s attempts to reveal the wizard’s true colours to the people of Oz and to restore dignity to the animals he has disenfranchised and demonised. Her friendship with Glinda is put to the test, as Glinda struggles to know where to draw the line between doing what is right and doing what is popular. As both female leads are forced to accept the consequences of their respective choices, they part at the film’s climax, singing the words from the title song: ‘because I knew you, I have been changed for good.’
Be more Elphaba
You can’t watch the Wicked films and not draw parallels between the way the talking animals in Oz are treated and the way the Western world treats refugees and asylum seekers. You can’t see the way Elphaba is marginalised for the colour of her skin and not see the deeper message about race relations in our society. You can’t see Glinda choosing to maintain her own popularity and comfort by staying in the wizard’s good books, rather than using her position to defend the people of Oz, and not draw similarities with modern celebrity culture.
Many people will watch this film and see only a sparkly, musical, feel-good film about friendship; but we should look deeper. To see the message that we should stand for what is right, even when it costs us everything. That we should be a voice for those whom society considers worthless. That we should restore hope and dignity to the disenfranchised. That courage, presence of mind and conviction of heart are vital, if we want truth, integrity and compassion to be the defining characteristics of our community.
Now we’re starting to sound a bit more like Restore! These values underpin everything we do here: we are a voice for people who have been homeless, offering support to help them move to a life filled with hope and dignity. We stand firm in our belief that the Bible calls us to love people as Christ loves us; to (as we read in Micah chapter six and verse eight) “act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” We champion the values of truth, integrity and compassion. We believe in second chances; in forgiveness; in restoration, and we do so because we are acutely aware that God has already offered all of us these things through salvation in Jesus Christ.
In 1 John 4:19, we read “we love, because He first loved us.” That pretty much sums up what we do: loving people and supporting them through difficult circumstances, because God loves us, and them, and wants them to know how precious they are to Him. We will keep standing up for our residents; offering them support, love and restoration, not only because it’s a nice thing to do, but because upholding these values makes society a better place for all of us.
Looking backwards, looking forwards
There has been much to celebrate at Restore over the last twelve months. Twenty nine residents have successfully moved on to independent tenancies. We have taken on further properties to house refugee family groups. We’ve expanded our community hubs and peer-support groups, and of course, we’ve launched our new branding and website. God’s goodness and faithfulness can be seen throughout the history of Restore (as co-founders Ed and Barrie reminded us at our fifteenth anniversary celebration service back in October) and this year has been no exception.
As we look forward to the year to come, with more milestone moments, we are committed to upholding those values that underpin everything we do: to stand firm in our faith, no matter the cost. To champion hope and dignity for our residents, supporting them to a life beyond homelessness. To allow truth, integrity and compassion to be our defining characteristics. In short: to be more Elphaba!
Will you stand with us in this? If so, we invite you to give towards our ‘make homelessness extinct’ Christmas campaign. Together, we can bring hope to the lives of those who have experienced homelessness in York. We can offer more than just a roof over someone’s head: we can provide homes, hope and community. We can make homelessness extinct this Christmas.
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