In just one weekend, Hunger Games has become the blockbuster phenomenon we all knew it would. The box office numbers are on fire (pun intended), and most fans seem pleased with how the book translated to screen ... I say most, because there are actually some fans who didn't read the books closely enough, it seems, and/or seem to think the film's cast should have been completely whitewashed.
Specifically, some fans were disappointed with the casting of Amandla Stenberg as Rue, a character, who might I note, was first described in the book as "a twelve-year-old girl from District 11. She has dark brown skin and eyes, but other than that, she's very like Prim in size and demeanor." Nonetheless, after seeing Stenberg in the film, these fans took to Twitter to write distressed, racist tweets. Ugh.
Yeah, it was as bad as it sounds ...
One fan whose Twitter page no longer exists wrote, "Why does Rue have to be black. Not gonna lie, kinda ruined the movie." Another, whose account has also been deleted, tweeted, "Awkward moment when Rue is some black girl and not the innocent blonde girl you picture."
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What the hell? Who are these people?! Listen, it's bad enough that they're ignorant enough to a.) not realize that Rue was cast perfectly, given her description in the book and b.) have a problem with the color of her skin. But then to go and broadcast that to the entire world via Twitter? What an idiot move. No wonder they deleted their accounts. They should be ashamed of themselves.
You know, this is a perfect example of how just because social media offers anyone a megaphone to express themselves to a ginormous audience, it doesn't mean everyone deserves that megaphone. Because clearly, some people are too ignorant, close-minded, and hateful to use it wisely.
Here's a video that shows just how great the film did this past weekend (regardless of racist morons!) ...
What do you make of these tweets?
Image via TheHungerGamesMovie.com
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
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This Hot Dad Cooks AND Does the Dishes
Kanye West is Gay?! 
Comments 16
Not going to lie, I haven't read the book or seen the movie....yet. I want to read and watch both, even though I am almost always disappointed in the movie when compared to the book. However, my disappointment would not be based on "color" but on content, how well does the movie really follow the book. Which is why I was so disappointed in the Harry Potter movies after about the 2nd movie. I felt like the first 2 movies followed the books pretty well, but by the 3rd movie, they were wasting precious screen time on scenes that didn't even happen in the book. For example, the 10 minute scene of Harry flying around on a dragon, which never even happened in the book. And they failed to make some very important plot points in the movie. Just an example of why I'm leery about watching a movie after reading the book. Or even vice versa, if I watch the movie and then read the book, I'll start seeing scenes and plot points in the book that I don't remember from the movie.
Social media is a rope long enough to hang yourself with I guess.
The first tweet was pretty offesive but the second one wasn't very racist. Unless there is more to the second tweet that we are missing it doesn't seem that offensive to feel surprised that you missed a key character decription. I never pictured Rue as being black ( more hispanic) but she is described in such a similar way as Prim that I could understand mistaking that character as white.
why is it actually upsetting that rue is black? they are all racist it should not matter and it proves they didnt do a good job reading because they didnt know the author intended her to be black. if people can be this racist about a movie imagine what ther're like about life
I haven't read the books, but I did see the movie, and I thought Rue was cast perfectly.
Katrina, I think it was probably just poor word choice on the user's part. But if we start judging everyone of being subconsiously raceist, then why not criticize Suzanne Collins' subconsous stereotype of having the only two black tributes from 11, the southern agricultural district where everyone works long hours harvesting crops while having scrict violent enforcement from peacekeepers? As far as the second tweet goes, it's a molehill.
Rue is cast EXACTLY how I pictured her. I thought Amanda played Rue amazingly.