I've only read the book once, and I kept getting interrupted during the part where they introduce and describe most of the tributes (which is why I usually try to read after my wife and kids go to bed). I could have sworn she was described as blonde, so I pictured her as a little white girl through the book. I saw the movie and was a little surprised that Rue was depicted by a black girl, but figured they just wanted a more diverse cast, so I thought nothing of it. It wasn't until after watching the movie that I heard that it was "controversial" and that people were actually offended by the choice.

I was equally unconcerned when they cast Idris Elba as Heimdall in Thor, even though having a black guy in Norse mythology is a lot less likely than having a black girl in Panem. All these complaints are ridiculous.