"Ginger" Intolerance - Redheads prejudiced against in U.K.?

[LadyJade6480]

Article here! (http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=1f13da01-795e-478a-87db-17abbf8bdc23&k=31656)

So apparently, redheaded folks are becoming teased/victimized about their haircolor. What's the deal with this? I personally think this is kind of dumb, and somewhat not necessary. Why pick on redheads? Aren't blondes given enough problems?

[Rabid]

Why must people insist on stereotyping and being prejudiced against one particular group? I don't think this is right and, as a blonde who has to deal with the typical "dumb blonde" stereotype constantly, I think I know how redheads are feeling. This definitely isn't right and should be stopped, but the question is how. No matter how many preventative measures the government takes and no matter how many people they try to punish, it's never going to end. Sure, the general public may lose their fascination with taunting redheads, but then they will move on to brunettes. When they get bored with brunettes, they'll move on to racial prejudices, and so on and so on. I'm not trying to say that this stereotyping is right, but it's a fact of life and I don't think it's going to change. There's always going to be someone out there who enjoys other people's pain. If it's not one group, it's another.

[Tramen]

o_O

Where the heck is this happening? I'm from the UK and I've never ever heard about the Prince Harry thing before, and the only thing I recognise from that article is about the Newcastle family - I've still not heard the so called bullies side of the story; I know that sounds harsh but in news reports like this you have to be careful about the facts and take on both sides of what happened.

I've not encountered this sort of behaviour at all, and I have several red head friends. One comediene Catherine Tate (who herself is a red head) takes the piss out of the prejudice in a sketch where she finds refuse in a Red Head Shelter :lol: - thats the best way to egt back at people, to take the piss!

[Charmy_SC]

Article here! (http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=1f13da01-795e-478a-87db-17abbf8bdc23&k=31656)

So apparently, redheaded folks are becoming teased/victimized about their haircolor. What's the deal with this? I personally think this is kind of dumb, and somewhat not necessary. Why pick on redheads? Aren't blondes given enough problems?


Hmm...I don't think picking on blondes or red heads in particular (being that I'm blonde and my best friend being a redhead) I've been blonde almost all of my life and people constantly think I'm stupid and ditzy because of it, but, not just blondes are dumb and ditzy. Anyone can be dumb and ditzy, hair color really doesn't matter. I haven't heard of this whole 'bullying on redheads thing' but I'm sure that it's no different than someone picking on a blonde or someone with any other hair color for that matter.

[crocobaura]

Article here! (http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=1f13da01-795e-478a-87db-17abbf8bdc23&k=31656)

So apparently, redheaded folks are becoming teased/victimized about their haircolor. What's the deal with this? I personally think this is kind of dumb, and somewhat not necessary. Why pick on redheads? Aren't blondes given enough problems?


It's the first time I've heard of readheads jokes. Blonds jokes are harmless (unless you tell one to a blonde who gets upset) but in the article you mentioned it says something about someone being stabbed because of this. This never happened with blonds as far as I am aware of, so maybe this discrimination, if it really is happening, maybe it has more to do with racism issues than with harmless teasing. Anyway, picking on someone's hair or skin colour, or physical appearance, just shows immaturity.

[Modestgurl88]

I don't get it...why pick on someone about hair color? I really don't understand.I wonder if redheads in the U.S. face prejudice as well.

[davious]

I dunno why anyone would pick on redheads...redheads are HOTHOTHOT!

But, seriously, if you discriminate on someone because of their hair color, you got problems.

[HCAC]

Sometimes my husband (from the UK) will say 'ginger hair, that's horrible' if he sees someone (mostly male)with red hair. I don't get it. Maybe because I grew up around dark haired people but I think red hair/reddish blond is gorgeous!! My favorite heart stopping color to see on a guy is reddish blond..

So, yeah, it's stupid to tease someone about this. I have a few fair haired cousins (one cousin married a man of Scottish extraction and his kids are 'ginger', one other married someone of Irish heritage and one of their kids is blond, the other red haired). I married a Brit and my son is dark like me (hair and eyes I mean..in England, they say 'dark' instead of brunette..we're all fair skinned, though.

PS ignore the smilie..I don't think it's funny.

[romyhorse]

Okay, I have to admit to making redhead jokes. When I was younger, whenever I had a new boyfriend the first thing my mum would ask was "Has he red hair?", because she would joke that she didn't want red-headed grandchildren. I live in a small town in Scotland where about 1/3 of the people are redheaded, it's one of those towns where everyone seems to be related to everyone else so I guess that's why there is such a large proportion of them. We do make redhead jokes but would never do it in the presence of a redhead, or tease someone because they had red hair. People make jokes about the Scottish people, my husband has an English accent, even though he is Scottish, so he gets jokes made about being English. There are jokes made about being Irish, a nun, a woman, a man...

I think this is political correctness taken to far, soon we won't be able to tell jokes for fear of being accused of prejudice!

[Wintermute]

In the States, redheads are associated with having fiery tempers as well as being feisty and smart. Are they associated with the same qualities in the U.K.? The supposed traits or quirks of redheads that are responsible for all this teasing weren't really mentioned in the article.

Maybe it has something to do with me sharing the same hair color/eye color as about 1/5th of the world, but I think redheads as well as natural blondes are extremely attractive. I think it's the quality of them being rarer hair colors that's so appealing, and not just the colors. In fact, I like every color BUT black for hair--I can't understand why anyone would compliment my hair :(.

[photo]

thats not just the UK... its everywhere... normal because red is associated with clowns and funny things so people find it easy to make fun of us... i got called Ronald McDonald in grade and elementry school. :lol:

[LadyJade6480]

I think it's the quality of them being rarer hair colors that's so appealing, and not just the colors.

Which is why people (including myself) have dyed their hair blonde/red/etc. I even dyed my hair black. Darker looks better with my fair skin than my natural dark blonde. :D

But I don't understand why redheads are considered so bad. I know that redheads were considered witches back in the old days (but so were lefthanded people--like myself). I remember an episode of Southpark where Cartman went on a rampage against "Gingers" and started acting like Hitler. Still did not find it amusing at all.

[Cassadaga]

Why would people pick on someone because of their hair color?! Even to the point where redheads are being KILLED? That's just crazy. I don't know anyone who is picked on because of red hair, maybe it's just in the UK or not in my area at least.

Personally, I think redheads are really cute, in fact I dyed my hair red a couple weeks ago!

[Haylifer]

I didn't think gingerism was a new phenomena.. ;P

Yeah, gingers tend to have a more fiery personality.. at least in my experience. The more they get teased because of their hair colour, the more they snap back so it's a downwards spiral.

Personally I like red hair and I've dyed my own hair red before, both by accident and on purpose. Not strawberry blonde or orange hair, but proper rich auburn hair. I love that colour. I think it's just the associated temperament that goes with it. My ginger friend gets called Madam Rouge or alternatively, The Earth - she got this when she dyed her hair brown, the idea being that she had a muddy brown exterior but a fiery core.. She takes them all in good humour. It's either that or blonde bimbo, or boring starchy brunette.. or witch/goth/emo.. Theres something for everyone ;)

[cinnamon_gurl]

My son has red/reddish gold hair and most people love it. He had a few kids when he was younger giving him a hard time about it but I think it had more to do with the fact that his name is Berrit which rhymes with carrot.
Other than the family that had to move and the guy who was stabbed in the back, the bullying aspect of being "ginger" seems a bit silly. People will always find something to pick on another whether it be hair colour or something else. Bullies seem to have an uncanny knack of finding something different about another person to use as an insult.

[HCAC]

. In fact, I like every color BUT black for hair--I can't understand why anyone would compliment my hair :(.

You sound like me. I hate having black hair. But my husband loves it..! To each his or her own, I guess. I'm very fair so it's a bit startling sometimes. They call it contrast coloring. I'd still rather have reddish or blonde hair. :)

[Sakura90]

We were talking about red haired people getting attacked or hated because of their hair, now you guys are talking about how you guys don't like black hair. Now I am starting to see how red haired people feel, in a way. You guys kind of sound like the rest of the world(mostly males), blond this, light hair that. Not everyone can have light hair, eyes, or skin for that matter (a little off topic, I know). I don't have black hair, I have brown hair, naturally, but when I was little I had black hair, but as I got older it turned brown. :rant:

Yes, I know everyone has there own preferences, but I had to let it out...*sigh*
I wish people would stop picking on/hating people because of their haircolor/race/etc.

[Doddibot]

I didn't think gingerism was a new phenomena.. ;P
It certainly isn't.

It all started with a mutation in the melanocortin-1 receptor (Mc1r) gene. Did you know the same gene is responsible for that ginger colouration in all mammals? Take some examples:

Orang-utans
http://www.malaysiasite.nl/images/utan5.jpg

Ginger tabbies
http://inlinethumb35.webshots.com/98/2456394670014198586S425x425Q85.jpg
Lion Tamarin
http://zoltantakacs.com/zt/im/scan/animals/tamarin_12541_340.jpg

And so on.

However, in most mammals (primates possibly not, which may explain why it's more common in them than other animals) you also need the ASIP gene, so that you can successfully switch to producing phaeomelanin (the orange-red pigment). This ASIP gene is not always expressed in most animals, which is why in many animals the red colouration is limited to certain regions. But, remember also that switching to this lighter pigment over the darker eumelanin will result in very pale skin, and very evident red freckles when exposed to sunlight.

The gene is also found in many non-mammals, but only in a few does it cause the same colouration (like chickens).

Anyway, that's an interesting aside.

[Sakura90]

Does the gene run in dark skined people too? ...Just curious. :bricks:

[Chelleypie]

I dyed my hair red because I love it that much. My brother has red hair. My ex's brother has red hair. My daughter could very well end up with red hair. I'm hoping so...

[Doddibot]

Does the gene run in dark skined people too? ...Just curious. :bricks:
They have the gene, that's for sure. But their Mc1r is producing eumelanin, hence the dark skin and dark hair. However, this gene isn't the only one that can produce red hair (it is in 80-90% of cases, but not all). So it's possible to have dark skin and natural red hair, though it won't be as bright red as those with the Mc1r variant gene.

These cell signalling pathways often interconnect. I'll search the literature and see if anyone has connected phaeomelanin to any brain physiology.

[HCAC]

Yes, I know everyone has there own preferences, but I had to let it out...*sigh*
I wish people would stop picking on/hating people because of their haircolor/race/etc.

I would prefer light hair, but I wouldn't be me!

I guess if you grow up around something, it seems dull and not very unique. It's a strong statement saying I really HATE my hair color (last post)..I just find it boring... :disagree:

My husband says black hair is beautiful! He grew up in England and most people he knew probably had brown hair or lighter.

[cassieandra]

I am a redhead and I hate it when people make jokes about us! I am the only redhead in my group but I have had close friends with people that have red hair! Like davious said: Redheads are hot! Lol

[MissTech]

I don't get it...why pick on someone about hair color? I really don't understand.I wonder if redheads in the U.S. face prejudice as well.

I'm a redhead (well not one of those carrot-top red heads- more like auburn red) anyway, I have never faced prejudice is the US because of it.

Personally I think I get lots more positive attention from it than anything. Blondes and brunettes are commonplace- redheads, especially ones with my color red- are far more rare. (And those of you who dye your hair red- we can tell because it doesnt look natural. You have to have the right 'coloring' or the dye job is obvious!) Of course, my friends tease me with the 'Ginger' thing, but its all in harmless fun.

[iampinkstar_SC]

My friend sam was born a red head and has most of her late teens early twenties doing everything to her hair to turn it blonde. I personally think she looks better as a redhead. I think the hair colour is lovely and I have spent my late teens and early twenties dying my hair an auburn colour. (which I probably don't have the colouring for)

Its personal preference and to be victimised for something as silly as your hair colour disgusts me.

[Delphy]

I'm a redhead. I'm from the UK. I got picked on at school becuase of my hair colour - by another redhead. Yes, it's stupid, but then, bullying usually is.

Also, natural redheads (as MissTech says we can tell if it's natural or not :)) rule!

[Nymphy]

Teh.

I have redhair and live in the UK....from primary school to secondary school I got picked on for it. Yelled at by people in the street as well....Its ridiculus. But I never really gave a flying f*ck about it!

Anyhowie, after secondary school I have never been picked on for it :) In fact the guys tend to like redheads now..;)

eta:

Why would people pick on someone because of their hair color?! Even to the point where redheads are being KILLED? That's just crazy.

For the same reason people get picked on because of their skin colour - prejudice and ignorance.

[Chelleypie]

Because it runs in my family, I've got the right coloring - white as a ghost, blue eyes, and long lashes. And I don't do flaming red - usually an auburn. My hair has a lot of red in it naturally.

[Modestgurl88]

I still don't get it. Why? I think red ,ginger hair is so pretty. I wish I had red hair. I guess it's because they are different but still it's silly.There are more important things going on in the world that need to be on people's minds than going out of their way to pick on someone with red hair

[Chelleypie]

-shrug- I dun get it either. But that's humanity for you.

[musiquefille_SC]

I wonder if it has anything to do with English/Irish/Scottish tensions?

Either way, I have more than a fair share of redheads in my game. Probably about half of my sims get red hair genetically. I practically breed it into them. Much more interesting that way. ;)

[Modestgurl88]

I wonder if it has anything to do with English/Irish/Scottish tensions?

Either way, I have more than a fair share of redheads in my game. Probably about half of my sims get red hair genetically. I practically breed it into them. Much more interesting that way. ;)
I though the whole English/Irish/Scottish tensions were getting better?

[TingTong]

When a girl has red hair she's seen as fiesty and hot! But when a :male: has red hair its seen as a nerd,dork shy guy! I once dyed my hair red and being a guy that was a bad idea! One kid only 4 said " WOW mum did you see that boys hair?" "It looks like its on fire!" :insane:

So needless to say i dyed it back to blonde! But i think my most hated haircolour is black! I would never dye my hair black not even if someone paid me!

Oh and i don't think the scottish/english/welsh thing is getting better its getting worst what with scotland getting better healthcare then england and ect ect! :sorry:

[jazzyreiko]

English/Irish/Scottish tensions? I suppose so, english people seem to assume that all us Scots are ginger under our wigs and wear kilts in our spare time.

I'm not a red head myself, blond actually, but my little cousin has the most stunning shade of red in my opinion. Really light with golden highlights, but she got teased for it a lot at school so she went darker. One of the names was "fire engine" I think or something. The whole ginger teasing thing is quite popular where I live, but so is the blond teasing yet everyone continues to dye their hair our colour...hmm.

[TingTong]

Yes but most scots think the english drink earl grey tea and live in country homes! i lived there!

[jazzyreiko]

I don't! Honest! No really, some of my friends come from england, some live in Mansfield for crying outloud. I just make fun of the english for yer accents!


.....


Pip-pip

[TingTong]

Well i lived there since i was 3 and now im in england and i was always picked on because of the accent and when the scots tryed to imatate our accents they just sounded ridiculous!

[crocobaura]

If it's any consolation for natural redheads that had to die their hair some other colour in order to escape bullying, in Romania, about 70% of the girls die their hair red, or some variant of it. :)

[jazzyreiko]

TingTong I don't have a really broad scottish accent and as a consequence am made fun of. So far I've been labeled American, Canadien and of course English. Just because I speak properly, no achs or ochs from me or the improper use of the word "pure".

And I just realised, almost all of my family are either red-heads or blonds with the exception of one of my aunts who married into the family bringing with her a weird hair colour...sorta silverey, grey blond. Most of them have never had to cope with teasing at all.

[claireishness]

My dad has ginger hair, I don't think he ever got bullied or any rubbish like that for it (no, just for other things lol) anyway, it doesn't really matter anymore as it's becoming increasingly grey.

When my friend had her hair done, had copper streaks put in, quite a few of her other friends teased her about having ginger hair *rolls eyes* anyway, after a while, the copper was gone, back to brown

you can't really see the ginger in my hair because it's mostly covered by blonde and brown (as I'm a strawberry blonde -ginger and blonde- with brown, all natural) I suppose that's why none of my friends believed me when I said I had some ginger...
my hair's getting darker, more brown (darker than it used to be) and less blonde than ever.. ginger shows through more, a bit as red sometimes, it's the lighting I suppose. :p

I think the descrimination and rubbish about hair colour is pointless. Sure, some blonde jokes are funny (I think so anyway lol) but actual bullying and stuff towards "red" heads is taking it too far. It's only the colour that your dead cells are! Let it go, what does it matter? Yes, certain people ARE "red" heads- they know. People don't need to point that out to them, especially in a rude fashion.

Well, that's my opinion on the matter, anyway :smash:

[jazzyreiko]

It's mostly the guys in our family who are red-heads some more than others, but I suppose they weren't bullied when were they were younger was probably due to the fact that they were 6ft tall and up, plus a couple of my uncles were in the local rugby team lol.

[Jasmin_SC]

Im "Ginger" and the bullying has gotton worse, I didn't take much notice in juniors but the minute I got to secondary school (highschool) the abuse was horrible, I was told that I should of been killed at birth, and a ton of boys give me the horrendous nickname "Gingerpubes" I think that is disgraceful and horrible. My mums red headed and she always tells me to ignore them, but I've had my fair amount of tears. Personally I will never ever change my hair colour, I may highlight it or darken it but the actually Red headed ness will never change, currently I'm red headed with blonde highlights in, like a golden colour, which my family loves. But this winter I hope to go a beautiful auburn colour. I mean the abuse against red heads will never stop, because there will always be some common or spiteful person who enjoys taking the mick from someone whose just a bit different from themselves.

[zedrik]

I have thick coppery auburn hair. Growing up I was always embarrassed by (what I thought of as) old ladies doting over my hair and saying how much they loved it. Then at school, I was teased for having red hair. As far as adults going so far as to stab someone based on the color of their hair... I will never be able to understand this mindset for anything be it hair color, skin color, religion, sexuality. Well, maybe I can understand a little if they were raised that way.

Despite the teasing, I love my hair color. I'm also probably the polar opposite of the red hair stereotype.

and a ton of boys give me the horrendous nickname "Gingerpubes" I think that is disgraceful and horrible.
When I got to be around... oh 12 or so, "Carrot Top" was mutated into "Carrot Crotch". Fortunately we moved and no one in my new school put that one back together.

[LadyJade6480]

the minute I got to secondary school (highschool) the abuse was horrible, I was told that I should of been killed at birth, and a ton of boys give me the horrendous nickname "Gingerpubes"

If it makes you feel any better, my husband got picked on in HS. Because his last name is the same as the president's ("Bush" - don't flame me), he got teased a lot! Some kids even went so far as to put pubic hairs on his desk! How about them apples? That, along with having CP made his school life hellish, I'd imagine....

[cassieandra]

LadyJade that's disgusting what the did to him! That's horrible! I know that sometimes people say that redheads should be taken out and flogged and one day a friend's friend said that and then he realised I was standing there and he was so embarassed. Stupid eejit! I'm irish btw lol but I don't get teased too much. Most people I've met love my hair. Especially because it's long and has natural blonde highlights too.

[lockshockbarrel]

Other than the family that had to move and the guy who was stabbed in the back, the bullying aspect of being "ginger" seems a bit silly. People will always find something to pick on another whether it be hair colour or something else. Bullies seem to have an uncanny knack of finding something different about another person to use as an insult.

Yeah... Maybe it's just 'cuz I'm in California, not England, but the entire idea of Redhead prejudice seems rather... odd... I'm not trying to judge, but I'm sure that's not the only reason they were bullied or stabbed, and if it was.... I dunno. I'm just having a hard time comprehending it.

[nostalgicpaty]

I think the fact that people that have red hair are saying that they hate black hair and saying how people shouldnt make fun of there hair color, is just ridiculus. how can you guys say you hate a certain hair color and still cry that people are making fun of your hair color. your kinda doing the same thing back. and yes it is a shame that people are dumb enough to hurt or hate another person just because of how they look. wouldnt you guys (the ones saying that they hate black hair) take a bit of offence if some one said. i hate red hair, that is one color i will never dye my hair.
its purely disgusting for people to hate anyone just because of a look. and for it to come to a point that people are attempting suicide because they feel that low makes me feel very sad that people can break down someone to that point. I think that everyone should embrace how everyone looks because our individual looks is what makes us all unique and interesting. i would hate to live in a world where everyone looks the same. however i know it will never be like that because too many people in this world are ignorent.

[danishani2_SC]

I gyed my hair candy apple red when I was 12 I mean it was red red red red red. But everybody kept on complimenting me I'm a natural blonde with dark roots and a hint of strawberryish color. I never have been called a blonde bimbo or anything like that but dyed my hair back to blonde like it was when I was born but I don't get it how people can just do this its really childish and imature of them. I'm German and Irish so I have fair skin with a pinkish tint lol its a weird skintone to have its rare too. But, I love redheads and my grandmother is a redhead she's a natural brunette though but she wanted a change and it looks good. My Mom called me a silly blonde one time. But my blonde hair and blue/yellowish green eyes look good together I hope lol. I agree with nostalgicpaty a 100 % on everything. Who cares what color hair you have all I care about is whats inside and not just by looks I mean come on you can look punky and when you get to really know the person they're the most sweetest thing on earth.

[Sakura90]

I totally agree with you nostalgicpaty.
I don't understand how people can complaint about people picking on them because they got a certain hair color, and then hate another hair color. It should not matter how people look or, what hair or skin color they have, etc., it's all about personality! :smurf:

[Black_Barook!]

I always thought it had to do with the Weasly family from Harry Potter....

But that's just stupid to discriminate based on hair color. Race or Faith is understandable (:P) But hair color?!

[MissTech]

Race or Faith is understandable (:P) But hair color?!

So you're saying its perfectly okay for people to discriminate against others for their race or faith?

Are you trying to start a war on here, ?
(I will wager its a little of both.)

*Edited to remove 6 words that would have started a war of their own

[Black_Barook!]

I suggest a trip to the spa to help release the stress.

It's a joke. Race issues aren't a problem where I come from.

[hathompson]

i think that it's stupid how redheads are being bullied and stuff cos one of my closest friends is a redhead except i never call her a redhead cos its more orange than red but i agree with everybody else that redheads shouldn't discriminate against people with black hair etc.

[Nymphy]

I think the fact that people that have red hair are saying that they hate black hair and saying how people shouldnt make fun of there hair color, is just ridiculus. how can you guys say you hate a certain hair color and still cry that people are making fun of your hair color. your kinda doing the same thing back.

I totally agree with you nostalgicpaty.
I don't understand how people can complaint about people picking on them because they got a certain hair color, and then hate another hair color. It should not matter how people look or, what hair or skin color they have, etc., it's all about personality! :smurf:

Correct me if I am wrong but I think you have greatly misunderstood some people's posts....

I read through all the 3 pages and these are the only posts where people say they dont like black hair -

1. Miao has black hair and said she doesnt like that colour (http://forums.sims2community.com/showpost.php?p=965778&postcount=10)
2.HCAC also has black hair and doesnt like it (http://forums.sims2community.com/showpost.php?p=965922&postcount=16)
3.TingTong agrees, and he does not have natural red hair (http://forums.sims2community.com/showpost.php?p=966488&postcount=34)

- and none of those people have red hair.. *cough* So no we are not crying and complaining about being bullied for our hair colour and then hating someone else's...Correct me if I read those posts wrong

[Sakura90]

I wasn't talking about people who had black hair and said that they don't like it or is bored with it. There was this one post where a girl said that her most hated hair color is black hair, and she does not have black hair, but a blond hair.This thread is about red heads being attacked in the U.K., not how much someone hates or likes a hair color. I really don't know what black hair has to do with this thread. That is what ticked me off a little. I don't have black hair, and I like all hair colors. I was kind of mad when I posted those two posts, but I am calm now... :smurf:

[TingTong]

Xnymphetaminex- I'm a boy and i have red/blond hair....and so what i don't like black hair?? its personal preferance just like someone would not like blonde hair or green hair!

[Sakura90]

All I was saying was what does this have to do with black haired people or any other hair color? It is supposed to be about redheads being prejude against in U.K., and your opinion and views about it...:|
But then again some of us do get off topic (even if it is a little) in some debates....including me >.<

And I knew you were a boy, in your posts you said so...I still thought I was wrong though... :doh

[nostalgicpaty]

I wasn't talking about people who had black hair and said that they don't like it or is bored with it. There was this one post where a girl said that her most hated hair color is black hair, and she does not have black hair, but a blond hair thats was exactly what i was talking about.

Xnymphetaminex- I'm a boy and i have red/blond hair....and so what i don't like black hair?? its personal preferance just like someone would not like blonde hair or green hair!
ok so the same thing goes for people that have red hair. people dont like it because its a personal preferance. but that shouldnt mean for people to get hurt for the fact of the way they are.

And i do know natural redheads that say they hate black hair and get all upset when people say that they hate red hair.

either way this post was to talk about discrimination against red heads and people were ranting about other hair colors.

[The Ace_SC]

Reminds me when I dyed my hair 'ginger', my friends thought it was cool but I got some cr-p from other kids in my school. Same thing happened to one of my friends after her hair accidently got dyed blonde with ginger patches (I'm not kidding), and for a while she ended up with the nickname "Wotsit".

Nearer to the point, 'hairism' is for children to squabble over, not adults (so why the h-ll did someone get stabbed for having red hair?).

[TingTong]

who really cares what haircolour someone has? Its their persoanity thats important and a bit of good looks but mainly personality!! Please enough with this i hate red/black/blonde/pink hair!

Oh and just to show i have no hairisms against redheads iv'e just dyed my hair back to red! semi yes but red! its so fiery looking!

[georgiababe]

I've heard this. My brother watches South Park and makes fun of people who are "gingers". I know he doesn't mean it, but it still bugs me like crazy. Redheads are awesome. I mean, look at Prince Harry (whom I find VERY attractive, much to the chagrin of my boyfriend :D)! And then you have the Weasley family! They're fictional characters of course, but they are full of love and kindness and compassion. And they're (mainly Fred and George) are hilarious!

That's disgusting. I partially blame South Park for perpetuating it. I know it sounds stupid to blame a tv show, much like people blame violence on violent video games, but I have noticed that even though they are joking, my brother (who has been watching it religiously for about two years) now says things like "That's Jewish!" (again substituting a word for stupid) and saying that all gingers are stupid and "gay" and whatnot. That is probably a different thread altogether, but it still makes me angry. I LOVE red hair!

[nostalgicpaty]

your brother sorry to say is easily influenced. do not blame south park. they do what they do for laughs not to offend someone. and if they do there not trying to. and if you ever saw that episode. i guess you havent. but the other boys dye cartmans hair red to show him a point. that it is not bad to have red hair. so dont blame south park for what your brother says. i guess he is still not mature enough to watch a show like south park if he is going to take there remarks that far.

[daltonism]

My friend gets bullied so badly at school because she's ginger. :/
And I get a certain amount of teasing because I'm blonde. And it's so pathetic.

[Lottie._SC]

I have red hair. I get really teased, it makes me feel worthless, i have lost a lot of confidence. But, why does it matter what hair colour you have? It just shows the people that are shallow and have no life :)

EDIT
I have read the posts on this page. I would love black hair! If i could, that would be my hair colour of choice!

[Princessme]

It really does annoy me.
The common thing in our school is to ridicule redheads by shouting GINGE at them as if there being completly insulting. I find this ridiculous as they arent even saying anything insulting, just stating the obvious.
Its like yelling BLONDE at a blonde.. thats not insulting at all.
I think people should grow up and not judge people on appearences, as that is not what matters.

[sayyadina_SC]

Yes Delphy, we rule!

Ive been the target of some "gingerism" myself, but as the saying goes: never mess with a redhead! Im proud of my haircolor, its been in my family for generations, its beautiful and even exotic in some parts of the world. I doubt I should accept feeling like a victim if someone started to pick on me. Most jokes about redheads can be used to our advatage.

Lottie: Your strong, smart and dangerously sexy, thats what they say about us redheads. Go with it, do us all (redheads, or any color) a favour and be Proud and Beautiful!

I wasnt surprised to hear this is going on in Britain (or elsewhere), but its all too stupid. My guess is that all the PC (not being allowed at any cost to vent something racist), has made people turn om "their own", as a safe target. It will blow over, Im sure. In a total of 4% of the population (global) the largest amount of redheads are found in the Brittish Isles, and more specificly in Scotland. The "ginger gene" is called MC1R, and makes us more sensitive to the sun, to cold, and to pain.

Edit: I found this after searching the internet: a "feel-good"-site for redheads!Red & Proud (http://www.redandproud.com/)

Now youre educated!

[Doddibot]

But that's just stupid to discriminate based on hair color. Race or Faith is understandable (:P) But hair color?!
It's a joke. Race issues aren't a problem where I come from.
Are faith issues then?

[Connectzeedots_SC]

I love redheads haha

I know at least 4...5?

and they're all cool people.


I don't like mean people.

[Fayreview]

I guess people are just looking for something to insult now.... I mean if they don't have a personality flaw (not that you should really point them out either) they go for how they look.

Boring Brunette ;)

[danielb1]

Just a question: who came up with "ginger" as a nickname for red-heads anyway? I've never heard of it before. (I guess it could be a British-ism, sort of like how we can't agree on what chips or jelly are - how to confuse people on both sides of the Atlantic: ask for a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich with a side of chips w/malt vinegar :howdy: ).

My hair is kind of a light bronzish color, which some people consider red (but its more light brown, auburn?). I got teased for tons of things, but hair color isn't one of them. I don't think hair color is a valid reason to discriminate against people.

[Fayreview]

There are very few reasons to discriminate against people... the only one i can think of is for major crimes (murder, rape). Hair colouring is just something we are born with...

[funkyfroggy]

Why on earth would people pick on redheads ? Does it realy matter what colour hair you have?

[MissTech]

[U]In a total of 4% of the population (global) the largest amount of redheads are found in the Brittish Isles, and more specificly in Scotland.

Great fact, and something I know for sure as I did the ancestor search for my own family and learned that my Scottish genes go way back. The 'modern' line of my familiy started somewhere around 1100, but they go back to before then even back to the clans, and pretty famous Scottish name/familiy/clan to those in Scotland...

If you have that heritage, you have that 'ginger gene' for sure, but I think it is recessive... I am the youngest of 3 daughters. My 2 olders sisters have mouse brown hair and blue eyes. I have auburn hair and green eyes.... and I LOVE it! Love being different from them, because I stand out more. And I can grab any color of hair dye off the shelf and use it, and my hair will come out the same color red no matter even if I start with a plain medium brown. (Been dying my hair for a long time because I started going grey at a sickly young age... like 16. But that's the genetics in my family with the women... they either start greying at a very young age OR they suffer from thinning hair..ie balding. Given those 2 choices, I am thankful I started greying young!)

Now I do have to say that I am not that fond of 'carrot top' hair, but I certainly wouldnt put someone down for it. Its not like they chose that color hair (unless of course they dyed it), it was just genetics at work. If I had to choose one hair color I didnt really like, it would be blonde, but that's probably just because I'm a little jealous. I SO wanted blonde hair as a teenager, and tried to turn it blonde...but it came out clown-shoe orange because I have too much red pigment in my hair! Also I didnt have the right skin tone for such a light and weird color! Whoops! (boy did I look sickly in the school pics that year!)

Besides, its not as if your hair will stay the same color your whole life. I was born blonde, then the red came out as a toddler and it got darker and darker for a LONG time... Now that I am....older.... the auburn is not as dark a mahogany(sp?) color as before and now it has decided to grow light strawberry blonde highlights... So, not to worry, if you hate your hair color sit back and wait a bit...It will change! :)

[Black_Barook!]

Are faith issues then?

I'm sorry, I don't get that? (I just woke up, and the AC stopped working!)

[MissTech]

I'm sorry, I don't get that? (I just woke up, and the AC stopped working!)

Think they are referring back to the post where you said you could understand picking on someone for their race or faith, but not for hair color.... then you responded that there were no problems with race in your area.... think they were asking if there are problems with faith/s in your area...

[Lwerszva]

Meh, this discrimination has been around since, like, the middle ages. Superstitious people have always believed it to be associated with Satan and whatnot. There isn't anything different about redheads personality-wise. You've got redheads like Lizzie Borden and Judas, but there were also people like Queen Elizabeth I and George Washington. I personally wish I had red hair. I love the way it looks.

[Black_Barook!]

Oh....thanks for clearing that up MissTech.

Actually I mixed it up. We do have a race problem, but not a Faith problem. Also a tribe problem.

[Annique]

I heard from my grandma that it was common to be teased when you had glasses or ginger hair. I don't see why, I love red hair. I often die my hair a fiery shade of red and get compliments whenever I do.

[lockshockbarrel]

Meh, this discrimination has been around since, like, the middle ages. Superstitious people have always believed it to be associated with Satan and whatnot. There isn't anything different about redheads personality-wise. You've got redheads like Lizzie Borden and Judas, but there were also people like Queen Elizabeth I and George Washington. I personally wish I had red hair. I love the way it looks.

George Washington and Queen Elizabeth had red hair?

[Ghanima Atreides]

George Washington and Queen Elizabeth had red hair?

Yes. Elizabeth I at least did. Personally in all the pictures I've seen of Washington, he wore a white wig.

http://www.sirbacon.org/graphics/lizatgrays.jpg


As for the whole haircolour discrimination...I heard redheads in some parts of the country go through it. Personally, I dyed my hair red for 5 years, because I liked it. I always got good response to it. It seems people will discriminate against anything out of the norm. Meh.

[kittentits]

I moved to the UK about a year and a half ago. I'd never heard of the whole redhead thing until I got engaged and my future mother-in-law asked my fiance whether I was a real redhead. On hearing that I dye my hair, she gave this big sigh of relief and said "good, I was scared you'd have ginger kids and they'd be bullied".

Little does she know that I was born with a headful of bright red hair that faded to blonde as I grew up :giggler:

It does seem to be a thing here. I don't get it, I love red hair :shrug:

[funheart00]

Well, it is kinda a horrible thing, I live in the UK and you hear it all the time. But I live in South East London.. which kinda has a reputation for bringing up things like this. Take a school... they have simple statements which make a 'cuss'... basically "Your Mum" or "Ginger" can simply be taken as a horrible thing to say to someone. I think it is more the bright carrot tops (sorry lol) that get the discrimination, more than the people that dye their hair a red.

Kittentits: I've lived in the UK my whole life and I still don't get half of it, though it is mostly boys.. teenage boys who bring them up... where I live lol.

[kittentits]

It does seem like girls are okay to be redheads, whereas boys will be bullied. Maybe it's just me, but I think ginger boys are adorable. But that might have to do with the fact that one of my best male friends growing up was as ginger as they come.