Following in the footsteps of the book series by the same name, the movie The Hunger Games was an overnight success. It is third in the box office for most money made on an opening weekend.
Despite this success, the movie has received unnecessary controversy from fans due to casting choices. Rue, a character described in the book as similar to the main character Katniss’ fair skinned sister Prim, but with dark skin, is played by African-American actress Amandla Stenberg. Over Twitter, some fans expressed discontent and shock over this casting choice.
These fans were surprised that a character described in the book as sweet, innocent and pure, could be played by an African American actress. However, it should not have to be said that these characteristics should not bring up assumptions about her race. In this day and age it is no longer appropriate to assume that any character of a story will be white.
Fortunately, these Twitter comments were few, and they received national attention and castigation from other Twitter members. Many of the comments were taken down due to the largely negative responses.
Stenberg thanked the fans that defended and supported her through this controversy.
“I want to thank all of my fans and the entire Hunger Games community for their support and loyalty,” Stenberg said to US Weekly.