The Wizard of Oz witch is a prominent character in the infamous story and its adaptations. In the original 1900 novel written by L. Frank Baum, the witch is referred to as the Wicked Witch of the East. However, in the 1939 film adaptation, the character was divided into two, with the addition of the Wicked Witch of the West. The Wicked Witch of the East is first introduced when Dorothy's house lands on her after being caught in a cyclone. She is portrayed as the ruler of the Munchkin people, who live in the eastern part of the Land of Oz.
She is portrayed as the ruler of the Munchkin people, who live in the eastern part of the Land of Oz. The witch is characterized by her magical silver shoes, which were later changed to ruby slippers for the film adaptation. Her demise occurs when Dorothy's house crushes her, freeing the Munchkins from her tyrannical rule.
Indiana attorney general known for ‘irrelevant posturing’ says Target may be ‘negligent’ for selling ‘obscene’ Pride collection
Left: Target 2023 Pride collection (Credit: mpi34/MediaPunch /IPX); Right: Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita (R). (AP Photo/Darron Cummings).
Six Republican attorneys general have warned Target that there could be legal consequences for marketing “potentially harmful” merchandise in its 2023 Pride collection.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita sent a letter Wednesday to Target’s CEO, Brian C. Cornell, co-signed by the attorneys general of Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and South Carolina. The letter said that selling Pride merchandise may not only violate child protection laws but may also amount to negligence toward Target’s customers and shareholders on the part of company management.
The objectionable merchandise mentioned by the officials included “LGBT-themed onesies, bibs, and overalls, t-shirts labeled ‘Girls Gays Theys,'” a T-shirt with a graphic of comedian, author, and recording artist Katya and the words “Adult Drag Queen Katya,” “girls’ swimsuits with ‘tuck-friendly construction’ and ‘extra crotch coverage’ for male genitalia,” and apparel made by a “Satanist-Inspired” brand “known for designs that glorify violence.” As examples, the letter mentioned products featuring the phrase, “We Bash Back” with a heart-shaped mace in the trans-flag colors, “Transphobe Collector” with a skull, and “Homophobe Headrest” with skulls beside a pastel guillotine.
The allegation that Target sold “tuck-friendly” swimsuits in children’s sizes was the subject of a misleading video that was debunked last May. The swimsuits at issue were available only in adult sizes and were labeled as “Thoughtfully Fit on Multiple Body Types and Gender Expressions” — not as “tuck-friendly.” Pride apparel was located in a special section at the front of the store, and not in the children’s section.
Rokita’s letter also said Target “sold products with anti-Christian designs, such as pentagrams, horned skulls, and other Satanic products,” including products printed with “Satan Respects Pronouns” and “a horned ram representing Baphomet — a half-human, half-animal, hermaphrodite worshiped by the occult.”
“As Attorneys General committed to enforcing our States’ child-protection and parental-rights laws, we are concerned by recent events involving the company’s ‘Pride’ campaign” began Rokita. “Our concerns entail the company’s promotion and sale of potentially harmful products to minors, related potential interference with parental authority in matters of sex and gender identity, and possible violation of fiduciary duties by the company’s directors and officers.”
Apart from accusing Target of having “wittingly marketed and sold LGBTQIA+ promotional products to families and young children as part of a comprehensive effort to promote gender and sexual identity among children,” however, the letter was unclear as to exactly how the products relate to child protection laws. Rather, the letter repeatedly said the products “raise concerns.”
Rokita also referred to state laws that prohibit “the ‘sale or distribution . . . of obscene matter,'” as well as those passed “to protect children from harmful content meant to sexualize them and prohibit gender transitions of children.”
Generally, the First Amendment protects the manufacture, sale, or wearing of clothing bearing messages as speech. Obscenity is not protected, but for speech to be considered “obscene,” it must not only be objectionable, but also lack any serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value.
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Rokita devoted the bulk of the six-page letter to accusations that Target may have failed its shareholders by promoting the Target’s 2023 Pride line to the detriment of the company’s stock price.
“The evidence suggests that Target’s directors and officers may be negligent in undertaking the ‘Pride’ campaign,” the letter said. Rokita went on to characterize the decision to stock the merchandise as an attempt to satisfy left-wing activists:
Target’s board and its management may not lawfully dilute their fiduciary duties to satisfy the Board’s (or left-wing activists’) desires to foist contentious social or political agendas upon families and children at the expense of the company’s hardwon good will and against its best interests
Rokita referred specifically to allegedbomb threats against the company. Indeed, in May and June, a series of threats were reported against several Target stores — though none of the stores at issue were located in Indiana — after the company removed some of its Pride collection following violent confrontations against staff over the displays and merchandise. Police found no evidence of explosives.
Target issued a statement in May as follows:
For more than a decade, Target has offered an assortment of products aimed at celebrating Pride Month. Since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being while at work. Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior. Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year.
Rokita and the other attorneys general said that Target “should not use such threats as a pretext for using Target’s valuable business to promote collateral political and social agendas—as these LGBTQIA+ activists apparently hope it will.”
During his time as Indiana’s attorney general, Rokita has come under fire for taking part in several high-profile — but exaggerated — conservative campaigns. In May, Rokita declared himself victorious in disciplining a doctor for revealing a 9-year-old Ohio rape victim’s abortion, despite the doctor having successfully defended against the bulk of Rokita’s allegations. That same month, a federal court said that over 90% of a lawsuit Rokita filed against TikTok for allowing the Chinese government to access user data had been “devoted to irrelevant posturing.”
You can read the full letter to Target here.
Target did not immediately respond to request for comment.
A Clutch of Vampires (Warner Paperback Library, 59-821)
The Wicked Witch of the West, on the other hand, is the main antagonist of the story and is bent on revenge for her sister's death. She is depicted as a green-skinned witch with a pointy hat, long black dress, and a broomstick. The witch possesses various magical abilities, including the power to fly, cast spells, and use enchanted objects. She is most commonly associated with her iconic catchphrase, "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!" Throughout the narrative, the Wicked Witch of the West attempts to reclaim her sister's ruby slippers, which were given to Dorothy after the accident. She sends her flying monkeys, summons dangerous creatures, and creates deadly obstacles in order to try and capture Dorothy. However, the witch meets her own downfall when Dorothy accidentally throws water on her, causing her to melt away. The character of the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz has become an enduring symbol of evil in popular culture. Her iconic green appearance, cackling laughter, and memorable lines have solidified her place as one of the most recognizable villains in literature and film. Various adaptations, including the 1978 musical Wicked and its subsequent adaptation into the hit Broadway show, have explored the backstory of the Wicked Witch, offering a more complex perspective on her character. Overall, the Witch of the Wizard of Oz remains a powerful and compelling figure in the world of fantasy and storytelling..
Reviews for "The Wicked Witch and the Tin Man: Examining the Complexities of Compassion in The Wizard of Oz"
1. John Smith - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Wizard of Oz Witch". The storyline felt rushed and the characters lacked depth. The acting was subpar, and the special effects were underwhelming. I was hoping for an exciting and magical experience, but instead, I was left feeling bored and unimpressed. Overall, I would not recommend this film to anyone looking for a captivating and well-executed fantasy movie.
2. Emily Johnson - 1 star - "Wizard of Oz Witch" was a complete waste of time. The acting was cringeworthy, and the dialogue was cheesy and forced. The plot was confusing and seemed disjointed, making it difficult to follow along. The special effects were laughably bad, and it felt like the filmmakers didn't put much effort into creating a believable fantasy world. This movie was a major disappointment, and I would advise others to avoid it at all costs.
3. Alex Thompson - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Wizard of Oz Witch", and unfortunately, it fell short in many aspects. The pacing was off, with some scenes dragging on for too long while others felt rushed. The costumes and set designs were lackluster, and it was evident that the production value was low. Additionally, the performances lacked depth and failed to engage me as a viewer. Overall, "Wizard of Oz Witch" was a forgettable film that failed to live up to its potential.