Are you from the Capitol?

The Capitol received a lot of flack this past week in classes. People commented on how the people seem oblivious and shallow to the true lives of the people. However, I would challenge that many people are very similar to the Capitol people. The characters come to the districts in capitol garb which makes them stick out like a sore thumb such as Effie’s outrageous hair style and make-up. Similarly, tourists often do not wear clothing that is suitable to the culture unless necessary. The Capitol people also look at the people of the district as if they are an exhibit for them to ogle. Prior to the games, the tributes are showcased like art to the public. On top of that, the Capitol acts as if it is a hero to the tributes with the promises of riches and food for the victors. This use of peoples’ suffering and the fake help for entertainment reminds me of the incredibly unhelpful and often toxic charity that many people from the United States take part in both internationally and in poorer parts of the community. All this charity does is leave those that are “helped” with a dependence on the rich communities, instability, and often worse conditions, but it gives those that are providing the charity a sense of: “I am a good person because I helped this poor person”.  This is seen in The Hunger Games at the interviews when Katniss is asked about her favorite parts of the Capitol and in the way The Hunger Games are portrayed as something to be proud of by the commentators. Katniss reminds the reader that it is a way of the Capitol showing their dominance over the Districts. Similarly, many people that are affected by the toxic charity that is rampant see the “white savior” as a mockery of something they will never be able to achieve. The white savior complex is seen everywhere in The Hunger Games by how the Capitol people try to fix Katniss into a pretty lady because she was so barbaric in their eyes prior. Katniss is obviously annoyed by this but hides it because she wants to appear nice. In the same way, when receiving charity, many people do not feel comfortable speaking up against the ignorance. All these factors show that the qualities of the Capitol that were very quickly thrown out as outrageous are very alive in today’s society and people should not so quickly consider them to be so absurd. Instead, people should take a look at their lives to make sure they are actually being helpful and not living in an illusion.