What do we think of ‘gingerism’?

It’s like reading that racist Diane Abbot letter all over again being here

Being a redhead is not like being black.
Its like having a mole on your face - which is also not like being black.
It’s a physical characteristic that’s unpopular with some people.
Thats not the same as race or ethnicity.

I love that mine looks different colours in every light and it's changing over time too
All my hair, all not coloured

It fits the EU definition of racism.

😂😂

Sure it does
”Ideas or theories of superiority of one race or group of persons of one colour or ethnic origin.“

You don’t speak for all mixed race people. I find your bullshit offensive

Step off then. It fits the EU definition of racism.

I'm mixed race. I find your attitude offensive.

Both my children have been, and are, subject to bullying due to their ginger hair. One had to change schools because of the effect on her.

Why do we say ginger when ginger isn't that colour?

I was under the impression ginger had gone full circle and is on trend

So untrue. My teen DGD is suffering the most extreme bullying because of her beautiful hair colour.

I’ve taught my children from babyhood to be proud of their red hair and they are. What helps though is that we live in a part of the country where it doesn’t seem to be a thing. Maybe because we’re in Liverpool where there are kids of Irish genes floating about and nay red heads. It was only this year that my younger son even heard a negative comment and he’s 11.

But you know it really starts from the most innocuous comments like “Prince Harry - that ginger prick” etc. and for a lot of you reading this who say it’s awful o be so hostile, it happens all the time. I hear it.

It's not acceptable but nor is blondism "having a blonde moment" "being a ditsy blonde" etc. maybe all the pale people need to gang up on brunettes?

My kids and husband are all red heads. Their hair is so beautiful. It was day 2 of primary school that my eldest was bullied for it. It’s disgusting behaviour.

id have told your colleague to shut up personally

How awful 😞 I'm genuinely envious as Auburn hair is absolutely stunning. Perhaps some of your bullying was jealousy? Not that it makes it any better of course.

I’d agree that it’s not a thing so much in schools. DS is a redhead and it isn’t something that comes up. We are heading towards the highlands so there are a couple of redheads in every class.

Honestly the only joke I’ve heard was from a redhead kid stroking my fox red lab saying you’ve got to give a big of love to a fellow ginge.

I think red hair is gorgeous.

Nope. It's just another shade of "having a paddy", which I know you feel even more vehemently about than I do.

Not necessarily racist in individuals, but definitely a sentiment with racist roots that anyone reasonable would leave behind when it's pointed out.

I’m not condoning bullying of redheads.

But it’s not even close to the same as racism, and is now so far removed from Irish xenophobia, and it’s deeply offensive to compare the two

YaMuvva It may not be the same as racism, but when you are a child being severely bullied for your hair colour, the experience at the time is the same and just as devastating.

It also has it's roots in race as other posters have pointed out, stemming from anti-Irish hatred

I think I’m gonna have to step off this thread if I read another comment like this.

So fucking offensive and wrong

It didn’t take long to go there with someone making this utterly ridiculous and offensive comparison

I find it hilarious that those who did ginger jokes and bullying at school now dye their hair red. I mean, wtf? I've always loved ginger hair. I have the gene but not the hair colour, that was passed to my eldest son who has striking blond hair with a very ginger beard. He's bloody gorgeous.

Well most of my family has lovely ginger hair and I am very jealous I didn’t get it.
They are all very proud of it, and they are all also very successful. A few losers tried to make fun of my niece in school, but her hair was so obviously gorgeous it was easy for her and her friends to laugh at them.

Never come across actual ginger prejudice by adults, surely it can’t be that common?

DS is unexpectedly ginger (neither me or DH are, one family member is on one side). I wish he wasn't because people can be mean about ginger hair. He is gorgeous though 😍

My husband had the most fabulous dark auburn ringlety hair, now sadly so darkened that you would hardly know he had been a red head. I was hoping some red genes might manifest in the kids but the closest we got is dark blonde with a tiny hint of strawberry if I squint! And no ringlets!

Yes, and that's what I said too! You've all spectacularly missed that I made the same comment as all of you. I only ever said you don't have to like the colour but you shouldn't dislike/abuse the person for that reason. I never said someone with ginger hair should dye it.

It's completely unacceptable and I challenge it when it happens.