As a young child, having red hair was almost the exact same as having any other hair color. None of my siblings called me a leprechaun when they got mad at me, my friends never even brought hair color up, and I never thought twice about being a ginger. The only exception was when some random adult in a store would touch my hair and tell me, “Never dye your hair. It’s beautiful.” It was annoying and a bit scary in my younger years, but I grew to shrug it off.
Then, everything changed when I was enrolled in public school. Up until 7th grade, I had been homeschooled, never realizing how people actually are. (Since my good friends happened to be my family members). I quickly realized that having red hair made you a very easy target for someone to make fun of.
While most of the comments were simply friendly fire, I have often wondered what makes people hate on redheads, the “real unicorns of the world” as so many memes say.
Many students joked about something so extreme that the principal got involved While some people meant this as a joke, the words you say to others can have severe consequences.
Multiple students believe that redheads should dye their hair in order to fit in with society. Some gingers do indeed turn to this magical solution after being tormented in their middle school and early high school career. Although some people who dye their hair red are viewed as even worse than a naturally born redhead.
Senior Bailey Powell is one of these people who dyed her hair red. When told about the article, she stated, “Redheads have rights, too.” Immediately, several people laughed, with someone asking, “Where did you get that idea from?”
Many of the “carrot tops” of this world undergo so many insults that they begin to hate their own hair, instead of realizing it is a key feature that makes them unique.
“I just stopped caring about what other people think,” science teacher Cheyanne Zelei said. “I came to accept that I am a redhead and that I shouldn’t let people get to me.”
Another redhead, sophomore Brooks Herbig-Egermier stated that he too is “bullied by a lot of people”.
“I don’t really care what other people say about my hair,” Herbig-Ergmeier said. “Of course I’m different- I have red hair.”
Here at Elkhorn North, each grade has anywhere from 5-10 redheads; worldwide, they make up less than 2% of the population.
While some people could just be joking, the things people say to others matter. This might seem like an insignificant topic, but gingerism, a term for prejudice against people with red hair, is a real thing. Some people have taken their lives because of it, some people speak out to spread awareness of it, and a few students at our own school have to deal with it.
While friendly fire might be just that, take the time to consider the effects of your words. Your “Lucky Charms” friend might not appreciate yet another hair-teasing comment. Instead, find something else to start the conversation. We as a society need to learn how to be more kind to those around us, regardless of what they look like.
