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Prejudice against red-heads? Why?

154 replies

AYoungSillyWomen · 15/09/2020 21:31

This is sort of old news but it still baffles me. Across britain (I don't know about other countries) there's a prejudice called gingerism where people for whatever reason hate red-heads. Historically red headed women were thought to be witches but this is the 21 century and what gets me even more confused is the fact that red hair is the rarest hair color in the world, surely we should value and try to preserve the trait not demonize it.

Also, a few years ago, scientists were doing DNA tests on couples to see if they were carrying the ginger gene and many couples who found out they were actually wanted to break up with their partners. Confused Having a red headed child can be that disgusting to people? What is wrong with people?

Me personally, I wish I was a redhead. Beautiful flaming locks and cute freckles. What's there not to like? There is a sunlight sensitivity but I'd live. So why is this prejudice continuing.

OP posts:
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19
Bwlch · 17/09/2020 06:49

It isn't just a UK or even English thing.

Bwlch · 17/09/2020 06:50
Galaxxy · 17/09/2020 06:51

My DS hair is intensely bright ginger, and he's got a real chip on his shoulder about it! I think his ego has been boosted by having so many comments and compliments when out and about! His favourite colour is 'ginger', his favourite animals are ginger (any animal that is even vaguely orangy 😂), his favourite biscuits are ginger...list goes on. I don't think the stigma and bullying is as bad as it was when I was in school. Ginger models are used all the time and I think its become a desirable hair colour. We've never experienced prejudice, quite the opposite!

RuffleCrow · 17/09/2020 06:53

I agree @YouUnlockedTheGateAnd redheaded men are seriously under-represented in popular culture and we're all sold the "tall dark and handsome" or "blonde and sporty" stereotypes but ginger men can be just as sexy. It almost takes me by surprise because we're not 'meant' to fancy them, here on this weird, prejudiced island.

JazzTheDog · 17/09/2020 06:55

@CrazyToast

God I was bullied horribly cos of my hair, spat at, called names, threatened, not a chance of finding a boyfriend. It got a bit better after 17 but still was an issue. I am both amazed and pleased to hear that any redhead doesnt get shit for it! It is the last acceptable 'ism' imo. I've even had friends sit slagging red hair then saying 'oh we don't mean you'.
This was exactly my experience as a child too. Relentlessly bullied (Scottish in a Scottish school by other Scottish kids so not just a nationalism issue) for the colour of my hair. For a long while I was the only 'ginger' in my primary school.
Uhtredswoman · 17/09/2020 07:18

@AYoungSillyWomen this book explains it all well..

www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Natural-Jacky-Colliss-Harvey/dp/1925266192/ref=nodl_

My husband and I are both brunette and after my c-section it took a while before I found out we had a beautiful ginger daughter 🥰

Prejudice against red-heads? Why?
MsMiaWallace · 17/09/2020 08:30

@trixiebelden77 really? Are lots of black people really still being murdered by police?

SerenityNowwwww · 17/09/2020 08:36

Can I just say - I effing well hate the word ‘ginger’. Really loathe it.

That’s all. Besides actual ginger is just brown on the outside, yellowish off white on the inside.

AllPlayedOut · 17/09/2020 09:13

Also, I don't know why but people I know with orange hair are very difficult people, over opinionated and loud, and maybe it's their fighty personality that people find unattractive.

You seem incredibly loud and over opinionated yourself. I can't imagine anyone finding your personality attractive with such a despicable attitude towards people with a particular hair colour.

MsMiaWallace · 17/09/2020 09:24

It is just ridiculous that someone would bully/harass/assault etc over the colour of someone's hair.

SerenityNowwwww · 17/09/2020 09:38

Opinionated and difficult people - you haven’t met my late mum then. A natural blonde...

BritneyS · 17/09/2020 09:51

Ooo I’m a redhead who is quite opinionated and loud! But I’m not fighty or difficult. I don’t really like confrontation. I’m also pretty damn sexy, so up yours to the PP who said redheads weren’t sexy! (I’m joking, I’m not sexy but I’m not a troll!!)

CandyLeBonBon · 17/09/2020 10:39

@wigglebox who died and made you the ginger police?

SerenityNowwwww · 17/09/2020 10:41

Exactly. I’m the red police actually...

IckyPop · 17/09/2020 10:55

@QueenPaws

Midwife when I was born asked if I should be put back "bad news is she's got red hair" Because I was a redhead. Didn't improve from then! Plus it's curly so that added to the low level bullying
What a bitch! You have my dream hair, it's gorgeous!
Gingaaarghpussy · 17/09/2020 14:37

At school there was a lad who had vibrant ginger hair. He also had a name that was unique. I didn't know him well, but I would imagine he was bullied twice as much.
Now he's a butcher, so i can't imagine anyone giving him grief.

FatCatThinCat · 17/09/2020 14:44

It's jealousy. Red hair is stunning.

Imissmoominmama · 17/09/2020 14:51

This reply has been deleted

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SerenityNowwwww · 17/09/2020 15:03

Fair game? Piss off.

CandyLeBonBon · 17/09/2020 15:14

No it's not fucking fair game. Fuck off.

CandyLeBonBon · 17/09/2020 15:15

Fucking advocating bullying? Ffs I'm actually speechless.

sallievp · 17/09/2020 15:21

I don't understand why it's not dealt with more seriously. Its a criminal offence (and quite rightly so) to verbally abuse someone based on skin colour. But if children are bullied at school and called disgusting names because of their hair colour it doesn't seem to be seen as serious.

QueenPaws · 17/09/2020 15:25

No, it's not fair game. It's called bullying Hmm for something someone was born with
Why is my hair colour deserving of bullying, why not bully a blonde person, or someone with vitiligo or someone who wears glasses?

AnneWeber · 17/09/2020 16:55

Picking on ginger people is fair game- funny even
Fuck off you vile bully. Shame on you

40andginger · 17/09/2020 17:45

Love being ginger!