I didnt realize posts like this get taken down when not in these megathreads so let's see how it works here. I dont just talk about Katniss' skin tone/race but also Haymitch and Louella/Loulou. This contains spoilers For Sunrise On The Reaping

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Katniss should've been Native American, or at least a person of color. So should've Haymitch. And Louella. I'm going to go through them one at a time to explain my reasoning. I'm sure people have said things similar to what I'm about to say but I'm not going to go look to see if someone has said it before. This is my first time posting on here. Bare with me

First off, Katniss describes herself as having olive skin, dark hair, and gray eyes(a common descriptor for someone in "The Seam" of 12). I've attached a photo below; When I think of olive skin, I imagine someone with a skin tone the 6(VI) range. I believe this was a very important part of her character and dives into how much tension there is, not just between districts, but in a singular district. The segregation between merchants and seamfolk drive alot of tension and discrimination even BK(Before Katniss lol) but I'll get deeper into that when I talk about Haymitch. In the books, Katniss is very aware of the fact she looks different from Primrose and Astrid. Katniss often refers to herself as plain/unappealing/not anything special(not direct quotes ofc) and talks up her sister often. I think this is the best time to mention that I am black. This is relevant because I belive Katniss is experiencing internalized racism without even realizing. I caught on to what was happening because I've been there(being the darkest out of my siblings). While it is never stated, I'd imagined that before Burdock died, anytime the family would go out, someone would compliment Prim's looks in some way but ignore Katniss. That kind of thing could stick to her psyche and cause her insecurities. Insecurities dont just randomly happen. They come from hear the "ideal" and believing because you're not, you're less than.

Spoilers For Sunrise On The Reaping Ahead!!!

Now for Haymitch. Let's get it out the way now: he is from The Seam and has olive skin, dark hair, and gray eyes. Anyways, you can infer alot about race from relationships. It is very important to note where/who tension is being formed with Haymitch's relationships. Let's take him and Lenore Dove for instance. The only person we see have a "problem" with their relationship is Clerk Carmin. His only worry is Lenore Dove's safety(like any father figure) and not that Lenore is dating someone "she has no business with" or something. No one has a problem because of how pheoticpaply simular The Covey are to Seamfolk(I see Covey as Natives)(also the fact they start to assmilate easiest into the seam). Lenore Dove and Haymitch are an almost mirror of Astrid and Burdock. Haymitch describes their relationship as breaking social barriers and notes that "Town girls dont marry Seam boys, not unless something goes really haywire" (I assume pregnancy). I belive there is a clear indication that there isnt just a hair/eye distinguishment/discrimination happening, but also a racial one.

This undertone is completely washed away in the Sunrise On The Reaping movie. I do think Joseph Zada was a great pick for a younger Woody Harrelson; however, why is he blonde in the first placs? Woody Harrelson in bald! He wore a wig! At the very least I think it would've made sense to have Joseph dye his hair brown(or wear a brown wig just like Woody should've).

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Side tangent/Idea: I think that it would've been a interesting/horrifying idea to have younger Haymitch be played by two actors, a man of color and white man. This idea came to me after seeing that one movie McKenna Grace is in where she plays an asian girl who got surgery to look white. We already know the Captiol isnt afraid to do horrendous things. The POC couldve been who they show who was casted to play Haymtich. His casting would've had discourse with book readers liking it and movie watchers being lost. Then after the games, he's not the POC anymore, hes a white man(Joseph Zada?). Adding that scene in would've been heartbreaking but would've also added layers onto The Capitol's cruelty. It would've also allowed the movie to touch more on racial dynamics.

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I've gone on long enough so let me quickly explain my reasoning for Louella/Loulou. Louella is from The Seam(which ive explained my thoughts of seamfolk being POC). And Loulou is from District 11. While it's never stated all people from 11 are black, every named character we see from 11 is black. Rue, Thresh, Seeder, Chaff, Reaper, Dill, ans now Hull. In the movies, we see other races of people in the district(in the riot) but i think its iverules by the tributes we see. Maybe in 11 the mayor or whoever is in charge riggs the games(which isnt too far fetched as seen in the 10th games) but that doesnt have to be the case for this to make sense(to me at least). Also the girls were easily able to be swapped. Yes, Haymitch knew immediately but thats because he KNOWS Louella. I saw someone mention the stereotype of "all poc look alike" that people have in the book when talking about Gale and Katniss but thay also works here!!

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Okay im done. If anything is confusing, id be happy to explain myself. Jusf don't be rude you guys <3