Freckleface, Ginger, Duracell and Carrot Top. One of the many names we with red hair have to endure almost daily. We only make up an estimated 1-2% of the population but all feel that we have experienced different levels of what is known as gingerism. This is prejudice against or maltreatment of people with red hair and is more serious than you think, but is it as offensive as racism?
Gingerism is denied as being on the same level as racism because : redheads are not refused jobs, are never stopped by the police as seen to be a threat/terrorist and finally are not confronted by political parties or movements that would like to see them deported from the country. Does this make everything else okay? Some even claim red to be the colour of…
In 2005 a popular television program south park aired an episode named “Ginger Kids” accusing those of the copper hair colouring as being disgusting, inhuman , unable to survive in sunlight and having no soul. This then led to a Facebook group naming 20th November “National Kick A Ginger Day”. No one batted an eyelid towards the page and it resulted in redheads in schools up and down the country being physically assaulted by other students who found the whole situation hilarious. In one incident ,at Wingfield Academy in Yorkshire, at least six ginger students were ambushed and battered on their way to classes. A father describes how his 13 year old daughter had came home with bruised legs after being singled out because of her auburn hair. No-one apart from the parents and the odd teacher showed any concern or sympathy towards these children. The majority of people laughed at the days events and now you can even buy commemorative mugs with the title “National Kick A Ginger Day” brandished on the front. But Had it been kick an asian day or kick a homosexual day the whole country would of been in an uproar, and anything relating to the day would have been investigated immediately…
