Racist Hunger Games Fans

Now as you may know, Katniss, the main character in the book and film, was described as having "straight black hair" and "olive skin." It's a post-apocalyptic world, so she could be a mix of things, but some pictured a Native American. Blonde-haired, blue-eyed Jennifer Lawrence won the part and dyed her hair dark.

But when it came to the casting of Rue, Thresh, and Cinna, many audience members did not understand why there were black actors playing those parts. Cinna's skin is not discussed in the book, so truthfully, though Lenny Kravitz was cast, a white, Asian or Latino actor could have played the part.

But. On page 45 of Suzanne Collins's book, Katniss sees Rue for the first time:

"…And most hauntingly, a twelve-year-old girl from District 11. She has dark brown skin and eyes, but other than that's she's very like Prim in size and demeanor…"

Later, she sees Thresh:

"The boy tribute from District 11, Thresh, has the same dark skin as Rue, but the resemblance stops there. He's one of the giants, probably six and half feet tall and built like an ox."

Dark skin. That is what the novelist, the creator of the series, specified. But there were plenty of audience members who were "shocked," or confused, or just plain angry.

I don't know anything about this particular case, but I do know that changing a character's appearence in a film adaptation can be very annoying. I remember this one book that had a dark skinned female character (which I grew very attached to and who had quite a big role to play). When I had read the entire book series with this mental picture of her being black (or at least darkish), and they later cast a girl in the movie who was not, it really ruined it for me.

As I've said, I don't know anything about this situation, I just want to point out that "race" (i.e. looks) is very important in film adaptations, lest you'll ruin the character for the fans. And it's not about race, it's about expectations and familiarity.

Racism is the biggest shit I ever heard since I studied the history of America.

There is racism everywhere, since the beginning of time. America isn't the only place that had such a thing. It just goes unspoken of in the history of some countries since it probably wasn't a big deal or because mentioning it will hurt them.

Either way, if a foreigner goes to any country, some people will give some glares or weird stares to foreigners. Racism is a 'natural' thing and it shouldn't be surprising it happens in this world.

I think the only reason why America and "racism" get mentioned a lot, is due to the exploitation, the movements and exposure of such a thing. Racism is big in the history of the world, it just gets overlooked for some odd reason.

I wouldn't agree to natural, rather a decision made based on his own value of appearance.

There were many tribes with their own appearances and foreigners visiting these tribes get frightened because of their differences in appearance but in time they will accept it since they come to the idea that they are the same, only in different appearances.

But the way they criticized the actress and the how audiences were thrown off were not natural, because they already have their expectations set on specific appearances which is a mind fuck in my opinion.

...I didn't even read the book...and I loved the characters.

In fact...them being black didn't even occur to me as even being...relevant...to anything.

I know this sounds like a standard, "Lol I'm not racist I'm colorblind" kind of post but I'm serious.

What kind of a person do you have to be...to see a little 12 year old girl, and conclude that they're not innocent...because...they're...black?

What kind of mentality do you need to have? What kind of reality do you need to live in?

I don't understand these people. But something to take solace in is that many of us realize how fucked up these people are, indicating that there is a recognition of general 'badness' even in bigotry that doesn't technically 'hurt' anyone. Though I'll bet if the actors and actresses in question read these messages, they might be hurt by it. And if a little girl gets her feelings hurt online because some douchenozzle decided to tweet her skin color ruined a movie...that person has lost all internet privileges.

I just like one more than the other. Simple as that.

Good old bull. If a little girl gets her feelings hurt on the internet, then its too bad for her, but the fact of the matter is that people have likes and dislikes. You don't even need to be racist, to prefer the looks of a white woman to the looks of a black one.

Its not that I think one is inferior to the other. I just like one more than the other. Simple as that.

Besides, really. Black characters are the ones always dying on movies and series. From a out-of-the-movie view, it really makes the death have less impact because, well, black character usually bite it anyway.

...In horror movies mainly. Why does this apply to a romance/action film?

it's not just horror movies. hollywood is notoriously racist, if you bother to pay attention. watch Melvin Van Peebles' Classified X for some insight into hollywood's history regarding black people. and it's not just black people getting jacked with in movies either. i saw a documentary about the treatment of asians in hollywood films. one example i remember is at the end of Romeo Must Die. in the original script, Jet Li and Aaliya kiss at the end, but it was changed to just a hug. watch some old westerns and look at all the blue eyed 'indians'. native americans are almost never portayed in a positive manner, even in more recent films.

Also...how does hollywood's racism justify the racism of fans?

where did i say anything like that?