Anne Hathaway And “The Witches”: The Sequel

This morning, “06880” posted a heartfelt letter from one Westporter to another.

Rosie Jon — a mother of 3 and accomplished artist who was born without arms — asked Anne Hathaway to think about the message her character in the new movie “The Witches” conveys.

Rosie Jon (Photo courtesy of Mindy Briar for Westport Lifestyle Magazine)

The Grand High Witch’s deformed fingers and toes — and other physical differences — are portrayed as evil.

Speaking for the limb difference community, Rosie wrote:

We don’t blame you. We love you. And I feel strongly that this is an opportunity for you to use your platform to educate children and adults about how disability is not something “ugly” or “scary,” but something to embrace with love and acceptance.

Rosie urged Hathaway to reach out, and help heal the hurt she’d caused.

The actress already has.

Hathaway posted on Instagram:

I have recently learned that many people with limb differences, especially children, are in pain because of the portrayal of the Grand High Witch in The Witches.

Let me begin by saying I do my best to be sensitive to the feelings and experiences of others not out of some scrambling PC fear, but because not hurting others seems like a basic level of decency we should all be striving for.

As someone who really believes in inclusivity and really, really detests cruelty, I owe you all an apology for the pain caused.

Anne Hathaway in “The Witches.”

I am sorry. I did not connect limb difference with the GHW when the look of the character was brought to me; if I had, I assure you this never would have happened.

I particularly want to say I’m sorry to kids with limb differences: now that I know better I promise I’ll do better.

And I owe a special apology to everyone who loves you as fiercely as I love my own kids: I’m sorry I let your family down.