Soo.... about WandaVision
I’ve already started working on added tags and words to my original posts about Wanda-Vision about this but I felt the need to make a separate post addressing this too. I am not an avid comic book reader, just really started about a year ago. But my ignorance it’s not okay! I had no clue that Wanda Maximoff was half Romani in the comic books... I always just thought she was half or fully Jewish because of her father Magneto. To be fair, Jewish erasure isn’t okay either but despite being Jewish it doesn’t bother me that much. (probably biases I need to work on) Since she’s not an x-men I assumed that was erased so she was some type of Russian; but I should have done the research. I’ve been reading more about it and holy crap we should not be supporting this show! The white-washing of Wanda’s heritage and then blatant use of a throw away joke (at the Halloween episode) is completely inappropriate.
Sources of Wanda’s cultural erasure: Mic.com DailyDot.com TheMarySue.com TheNerdist.com Romani culture has a rich history that I’m just starting to learn about. I already knew they were also part of the concentrations camps along side Jews and the those in the LGBTQ+ identity during the Holocaust. What I didn’t know was anything about their culture, and I did not know that g*psy is an insult. Right now I need to do my due diligence and learn more. Hope you all do the same. Sources on Romani Culture: Religious Tolerance.org Ancient Origins.net (and the misnomer of G*psies) WorldAtlas.com
Currently also reading on continued oppression of this culture: Romani woman and access to Health Care, 2003 It has always been my belief that Human rights are for all humans, regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. Everyone deserves the same level of care and decency. Furthermore, everyone deserves a seat at the table in terms of representation. My own ignorance caused me to be blind to this... and for that I am sorry. Wanda Maximoff is a cool character! The little bit that I have read in comic book form has been great. And I did enjoy the show... but I cannot in good conscience continue to support this character in the MCU when I know the background now.