Is changing an iconic character's race or gender a good or bad thing?

So people were made that JLaw wasn't a Dago? Based on that description, I'm not white. I don't consider myself white but I have dark hair and an olive complexion, Italian and Sicilian.

However, another criticism levied against Ross’ choice has to do with Lawrence’s ethnicity – as it has been hinted, in the books, that Everdeen is multiracial. Only two months back, casting rumors suggested that True Grit star Hailee Steinfeld, who is not only fourteen but also part-Filipino, was in the running for the part.

The debate over Katniss's on-screen ethnicity (or lack thereof) has raged in the Hunger Games fan community ever since a film adaptation was announced, owing to author Collins' seemingly specific descriptions of the young heroine's ethnicity. Described as having dark hair, olive skin, and gray eyes (in contrast to her fair-haired mother and sister), Katniss is thought by some readers to be of Mediterranean, Latin, Asian, or mixed descent.

By the same token, Katniss's colorings could also suggest a brunette Caucasian girl, as in the novel's official marketing materials (above). Either way, it's fair to say that Collins' ambiguity was purposeful in this regard. So the question isn't, "Is Katniss white?" but "Could Katniss possibly be anything other than white?"

In casting only for Caucasian performers, the filmmakers seem to close the door on that possibility. But as in the racebending issue surrounding last year's Avatar: The Last Airbender (a controversy unlikely to continue unless sequels follow, which they won't), is that move warranted by the material or simply another case of Hollywood whitewashing? There aren't many good reasons for excluding non-white performers from consideration based on Collins' books and characters, aside from the desire to appeal to the dominant paradigm in the film's marketing materials. If Collins is on board with this and has any argument in favor of the casting move, she should start explaining.

I bet you're gorgeous! I'm German, Italian and Greek...Most people don't know where the hell I'm from ....usually I get a Eastern European...but--mostly just beautiful LOL.