Economic inequality knows no boundaries — it is pervasive and persistent, and it affects every city, region, and country across the world. The gap between the wealthy and the poor grows wider every day, while the middle class shrinks and more people find themselves short of what they need to get by.
Who controls the narrative? The rich and powerful tell us that if we put our heads down and work hard, we can overcome the odds and join the ranks of the victors — the wealthy and privileged few. However, it’s increasingly clear that the game is rigged, and that we have an important role to play: At best, we are the loyal consumers. At worst, we are the ones who slip through the cracks.
And that’s why we’re taking back the narrative. The Hunger Games explores numerous themes that are relevant to the imbalances that exist in our world. In Catching Fire, Katniss Everdeen solidifies her role as a symbol for change and sets the resistance in motion. Thus, the release of the Catching Fire film represents a perfect opportunity to establish a dialogue about our own problems and set the wheels in motion for positive change. Instead, Catching Fire is being used as an opportunity to sell makeup and fast-food sandwiches.
And we have a very simple response to that: Not on our watch.
This time we’re taking the resistance straight to the Capitol. Using their own marketing website as our platform, we’re assembling an army of Katniss Everdeens and flooding every Capitol advertisement with three-fingered salutes, information about economic inequality, and links to resources where followers of the Capitol can learn more about the people of the real-world districts and the worthy goals they’re trying to achieve.
Want to get involved? Join the resistance at OddsInOurFavor.org. You’ll be added to our action network and you’ll receive regular calls to action over the next few weeks. Additionally, you’ll be able to join our in-theater action around the release of the Catching Fire film, and you’ll be part of a dynamic movement that grows out of these initial actions.
You can also participate in our related We Are The Districts project. Run by our Chapters Staff, this blog is an ongoing documentation of real people taking a stand against economic inequality. Although it features campaigns and events organized by HPA chapters, We Are The Districts is open to blog submissions from all HPA members and the general public.