In the beloved story of The Wizard of Oz, one of the most iconic moments is when the Wicked Witch is finally exterminated. Throughout the story, the Wicked Witch is portrayed as a truly evil character, constantly trying to harm Dorothy and her friends. Her demise is not only a satisfying moment for the characters but also for the readers or viewers. The extermination of the Wicked Witch marks a turning point in the story and symbolizes the victory of good over evil. From the moment the Wicked Witch appears in the story, she is a force to be reckoned with. She consistently tries to stop Dorothy from reaching the Emerald City and obtaining her wish to return home.
This model demonstrates that people who succeed often acquire their talent because of the development attention they have received, and it shows how to create a culture of inclusion and development to unlock employee potential and productivity. The Power of Inclusion addresses common beliefs and behaviors that are barriers to true inclusion:
The film Conspiracy depicts the meeting, which over a few hours of bureaucratic wrangling what philosopher Hannah Arendt calls the banality of evil made concentration camps like Auschwitz part of the official German state apparatus. The advantages of inclusion and diversity in the workplace are numerous, with main benefits including a large pool of talent, a positive culture, and mutual respect throughout.
She consistently tries to stop Dorothy from reaching the Emerald City and obtaining her wish to return home. The witch uses her power and minions to create obstacles for Dorothy and her companions. However, their determination and bravery ultimately lead to the witch's demise.
The conformity curse delays progress on diversity and inclusion
Conformity is part of our DNA, a useful attribute to ensure the continuation of the species by minimising conflict and maximising cooperation. But it is also the main impediment to creating a more diverse, inclusive workforce, as evidenced by the glacial pace of progress on gender equality. Karina Robinson writes that there are times when we need not to conform. She says that the courage to step outside the consensus and make a stand, however lonely, is crucial.
At 7:30am on a January winter day, as I bent down to pick up my Norfolk Terrier’s poo in the park, I regretted the absence of anyone to watch the careful operation. How ludicrous to want to demonstrate that I was a responsible member of society! Yet from poos to parties, conformity to the norm is the rock upon which society is built. It is part of our DNA, a useful attribute to ensure the continuation of the human race by minimising conflict and maximising cooperation.
Conformity is also the main impediment to creating a more diverse, inclusive workforce.
Subconscious biases are part of this. Cambridge historian Mary Beard argues that our mental, cultural template for a powerful person remains resolutely male, admitting that even for a feminist professor like her, ‘the cultural stereotype is so strong that, at the level of close-your-eyes fantasies, it is still hard for me to imagine me, or someone like me, in my role.”
It is therefore not surprising that, globally, the share of female members of parliaments has risen from a minimal 15 per cent in 2006 to only 23 per cent in 2022, according to the latest World Economic Forum global gender gap report. Rarely do they get promoted. The average share of women in ministerial positions has risen from only 10 per cent to just 16 per cent. At this rate of progress, it will take 155 years to close the political gender gap.
Despite a host of initiatives, the corporate world is also moving at a glacial pace. Only one in four C-suite leaders in the US is female, notes the latest McKinsey report on Women in the Workplace. Meanwhile, the number of female CEOs in the FTSE-350 largest companies in the UK is unchanged from 2016 to 2021– only 18, notes Statista.
Apart from issues of fairness and a more diverse perspective, fishing for talent in a bigger pool is the only way to fill both the existing large number of job vacancies and future ones. International Longevity Centre research shows a potential shortfall of 2.6m workers by 2030.
The ease of conformity contrasts with the hard work of creating change. Denise Wilson, CEO of the FTSE Women Leaders Review, says: “I am often asked what is the silver bullet, the one thing that an organisation should do to drive progress. Regrettably, there is no such magic. Improving diversity means a multi-year, multi- layered approach. It requires systematic change and taking on a system that has worked very well for some but excludes others.”
There are times when the courage to step outside the consensus and make a stand, however lonely, is crucial.
January 2022 was the 80 th anniversary of the Wannsee Conference, where 15 members of the Nazi high command and the SS agreed the ‘Final Solution’ for the Jews. The film Conspiracy depicts the meeting, which over a few hours of bureaucratic wrangling – what philosopher Hannah Arendt calls the ‘banality of evil’ – made concentration camps like Auschwitz part of the official German state apparatus. The Kenneth Branaugh film depicts two officials who attempted to halt, or at least slow, the process. They were, ultimately, intimidated into laying misgivings to rest.
Also in January 2022, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was under fire for a series of parties held at 10 Downing Street at a time when the country was in lockdown, when many families were torn apart from their loved ones, especially elderly ones. Before the scandal broke out, the belief that ‘we are all in this together’ had been a comfort. Conforming to self-sacrificing rules for the health of society took its toll on the physical and mental health of the nation.
Being told what to do by rule-makers who turned out to be rule-breakers undermined the basis of our social contract. That is why the Downing Street parties were the beginning of the end for the prime minister, while other misdemeanours have been feather-like in their effect on the government’s standing, such as the awarding of COVID-related contracts to unqualified recipients, or the Dominic Cummings’s imbroglios.
It may seem a far stretch to tumble together dog poo, diversity and inclusion, the Holocaust, and a government under fire – in fact, downright disrespectful. In no way is this meant to offend. But as we head into a year that is likely to be one of great upheaval (given the war in Ukraine, rising rates, and China’s reopening), let us reflect on how to reconcile the need for acceptance and the need to stand apart from the norm in our search for a more diverse and inclusive society.
- This blog postrepresents the views of its author(s), not the position ofLSE Business Review or the London School of Economics.
- Featured image by David Rotimi on Unsplash
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The moment of the witch's extermination is highly monumental in the story. It is the climax of the narrative, where all the tension and conflict between the characters converge. Dorothy, with her quick thinking and resourcefulness, inadvertently kills the witch by dousing her with water. The witch's demise is sudden and unexpected, but it comes as a relief for Dorothy and her friends. The extermination of the Wicked Witch is not only a pivotal moment in the story but also a symbolic representation of the triumph of good over evil. The witch represents pure wickedness, while Dorothy represents innocence and goodness. By eliminating the witch, Dorothy not only saves herself but also the entire Land of Oz. The witch's extermination allows Dorothy to continue her journey and eventually find her way back home. Overall, the extermination of the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz is a significant moment that serves as a turning point in the story. It not only provides a resolution to the conflict between the characters but also symbolizes the victory of good over evil. This moment ensures the ultimate triumph of Dorothy and highlights the power of determination and bravery in the face of adversity..
Reviews for "The Wicked Witch's Magic: How She Employs Her Dark Powers in The Wizard of Oz"
1. John - 1 star
I found "The Wizard of Oz: The Wicked Witch is Exterminated" to be a complete disappointment. The storyline was confusing and lacked depth. It felt like the filmmakers were just trying to cash in on the success of the original "Wizard of Oz" without giving much thought to the plot. The special effects were also outdated and unimpressive. Overall, I would not recommend this film to anyone looking for an enjoyable and well-crafted movie.
2. Susan - 2 stars
I was really excited to watch "The Wizard of Oz: The Wicked Witch is Exterminated," but it turned out to be a letdown. The acting was subpar, especially in comparison to the original film. The characters lacked charisma and the dialogue felt forced. Additionally, the film seemed to rely too heavily on CGI, with unconvincing visuals that took away from the overall experience. While it had some moments of nostalgia, I wouldn't consider it a worthy sequel to the beloved original.
3. Mark - 1.5 stars
"The Wizard of Oz: The Wicked Witch is Exterminated" fell short in almost every aspect. The plot was uninspiring and predictable, leaving no room for surprises or character development. The performances were lackluster, with the actors failing to capture the magic of the original film. The film also had a disjointed tone, attempting to blend comedy with a darker narrative, but failing to strike a balance. As a fan of the original, I was extremely disappointed and would advise others to skip this uninspired sequel.
4. Emily - 2 stars
"The Wizard of Oz: The Wicked Witch is Exterminated" had potential, but it failed to live up to it. The film tried to capture the whimsical and magical atmosphere of the original, but fell short with a weak script and uninspiring direction. The performances were average at best, lacking the charm and chemistry that made the first film so beloved. The attempts at humor also fell flat, with jokes that felt forced and out of place. Overall, it was a forgettable film that failed to capture the essence of the original classic.