"Ginger boys are just ugly"

[CrumpetHead]

Just wanted to rant

Had 32wk consultant appointment today, sat in tiny waiting room with about 15 other people all crammed in and there's two women sat opposite DP and I chatting to each other, conversation goes something like "have you ever thought that your baby could be ginger" "oh god no don't say that, I wouldn't mind so much if it was a girl but ginger boys are just ugly, yuk"

DP was sat next to me and could hear the whole thing, he is ginger and so is our 14 month old DS. How rude can you get?!
DP wears a cap constantly when he's out because he got teased in school about it.

What difference does it make what colour hair you have? It's just a colour the same as brown, blonde, black are colours! Thinking about it now it's really making my blood boil and if I could turn back time I wish I'd have said something to them instead of staying quiet because I didn't want to cause an argument.
Idiots

[Flashbangandgone]

Having ginger hair is a characteristic associated with a particular race/ethnicity, so arguably it could be called racism. It could equally be argued that it's not racism as ginger hair is not itself a race or ethnicity.

My issue is with those posts that appear to be saying that it's offensive and insulting to call it racist because it's not as severe as the racism experienced by certain ethnic groups.

[Helmetbymidnight]

I don't think it's insulting or offensive to call it racism. I just think it's not correct.

[EnthusiasmDisturbed]

Well is it

We have political parties in this country that until recently you were unable to join unless you were white European

They also have a high membership of people and those representing the party that have made racist comments and deny the Holocaust

I have never heard of families falling out or ostracising someone because their partner has red/ginger hair

That is not to deny some people with red hair are mocked/teased and that can impact their life terribly

[fakenamefornow]

CactusAnnie

I didn't say it was racism. I was picking up the pp who said that ginger haired people do not suffer discrimination in the job market

[MERLYPUSSEDOFF]

I have no experience of naturally ginger kids other than a little girl in reception at our school. (but SHE doesn't count,apparently) Oh an one of my cubs who must be about 20 now.

I think ginger is as good as the next hair colour. I especially love ginger and freckles on boys.

Perhaps you should have said 'my son can dye his hair if he wishes but no amount of education will make you anything other than an ugly ignoramus' (but you may've got punched. I'D have been raging!)


(I did use to dye my hair as bright red as I could get it if that counts)

[Obs2015]

Ds2 is ginger-del-la-ginger. Totally.
"No", he tells people "my hair isn't red, it's ginger".

[originalmavis]

Obs, he's just reclaiming the word!

Although, the nicest thing anyone ever said to me was when I was much younger and had thick, long huge curls. I was sitting in the window of a cold coffee shop and had a big green velvet coat on with black velvet collar and trims wrapped around me. The window was square and had an ornate gold frame painted on it.

The door flew open and a man stepped in and said loudly (to me) 'I just had to tell you that you looked so exquisite framed in that window. Like a titian pre-raphaelite painting.' Then he turned and went out.

Of course he was probably a raving nutcase but still...

[originalmavis]

Just thought of a comeback for the original op! oh yes I am that fast: 'any child of yours wouldnt need to have red hair to be ugly'.

[Mmmmcake123]

I don't want to argue that hair colour discrimination equates to racism.
There is an earlier post though that compares discrimination based on hair colour to obesity. Whilst I absolutely abhor why any person should face discrimination due to obesity, I think there is a big difference especially when talking about children.
Parents can control how much a child eats and can encourage them to exercise, both of which are healthy lifestyle options, it may not be easy for everyone but it is doable (specific medical conditions excepted).

Comparing natural hair colour to obesity as opposed to skin colour is not on in my opinion. I don't think any parent would feel comfortable telling their lil ones it's OK we can do something about your colouring, whereas eating healthily and getting more exercise is actually the norm.

BTW Mavis I love your belated comeback, I used the same at school when called fat