Hi Everyone! If you've read the title, you might be wondering what in the world I am talking about, or maybe you might think I'm a little off the deep-end to think that there are parallels between a fictional text and real life as we know it in North America. But, I really do think there are many connections we can make...and I think they're very important!
In the Hunger Games (the movie and the books), the people in the capitol are hyperbolized and are bordering on the ridiculous when it comes to their fashions and interests, for example. The people of the capitol eat their fill, and eat so much that they barf in order to fit even more food into their bodies. However, people in the other districts are bordering on poverty, as they are rationed food, and are basically starving. Furthermore, the people of the Capitol are wrapped up in their own lives- they're being entertained, enjoying their food and games, and enjoying their materialism. They are kept busy with the latest fashion trends and T.V. shows. Meanwhile, rather than take a critical look into their government and the purpose of the Hunger Games (to perpetuate fear and manipulate the people in the districts into being controlled), the people of the Capitol see it all as a game and for entertainment. They don't see the children who are being killed in the games and mourn for their families or for the children. Instead, they laugh and joke and have fun.
You may ask, what are the parallels to our lives? Sad to say, there are many that I see.
I really feel like we in North America are living in our own bubble, our own "Capitol" if you will, where we are kept so busy with what's the latest fashion trend, or which young celebrity made a fool of themselves on T.V., or we are so busy working so hard for money that never seems to be enough so we can buy a house that we can't afford, and so we can buy clothes and cars and more and more and more and more stuff that we really don't need. All this busyness keeps us focused on our selves. All this busyness keeps us distracted from what is going on around the world. It keeps us distracted from the plights that other human beings are enduring around the world. Because, just like those in the Capitol, we're in this bubble where we're focused on ourselves, focused on getting the newest gadget, focused on getting more and more, that we are missing the bigger picture. We are missing the fact that there are civil wars going on. We are missing the fact that humans are being trafficked, as they are being bought and sold as sex slaves. We are missing the fact that there is abuse going on in households. We are missing the fact that orphans are being sold off to traffickers. We are missing the fact that there are people who are broken, who are hopeless, who are hurting.
Instead, we're focused on our T.V. shows and smart phone apps, and working to pay for a house that we'll never be able to pay off. Instead of taking a critical eye as to why things are the way they are, we are distracted by what's around us, and we don't question. We don't get abhorred. We don't get mad or upset with the injustices of this world. Because we are too self-absorbed and busy and entertained to even notice- to even care.
Really, when I watched the movie(s) and read the book (still reading the series), the parallels between our society and the Capitol really struck me. And it's not a good thing :/
I really think that God told us to be still for a reason.
We need to make an effort to focus on what's important. To really reflect on things.
Please don't just get caught up with things, but be intentional. Think critically. Make a difference.
-Anna
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