Ginger Bullying - An Acceptable Prejudice?
By
Missy aka Tizzy in
Life Style
On 27th October 2017
While we all know there is just something different about red hair...something that no other hair color could possibly emulate. In most cultures, it is associated with fiery passion in women and derision in men, but on the extreme end bullying.
There was a recent event that aimed to showcase and embrace the difference. It featured the world's hottest redheads in an attempt to rebrand the "ginger" stereotype. It was called the Red Hot II Campaign and was launched at a Hotel in Rotterdam September 3.
#1
Knights and Frieze put this event together to launch their new book which obviously features red-haired models.
#2
No matter what part of the world you live in, there is a stigma attached to being a redhead. Knights specifically talks about the fashion industry as an example stating that a few years ago seeing a redhead model on the runway was just unheard of. It was seen as ad edgy move to use one.
It is really great that they hosted this event to really showcase a more positive outlook on "ginger" people. It says a lot especially since it is not likely that you will ever see an event that showcases the world's hottest blondes or brunettes.
While there were a ton of extremely attractive redheads at this party and a ton of glitz and glamour, there is a serious issue of bullying that Red Hot has been helping to bring around awareness to by donating their profits from their book to charitable causes.
#3
Knight says, "In the UK and throughout the world, being ginger comes with many stigmas attached. Many are bullied at school and for some, even later in life.
As far as I can see, no one has focused (or noticed) the huge, polarised gap between the way our society perceives redheaded women (often the ultimate woman – think Jessica Rabbit) and red-headed males (often emasculated and de-sexualized in film and TV – no Hollywood heroes, heartthrobs – few leading men)."
#4
Red Hot works closely with Diana Award which is a charity in honor of Princess Diana that is also supported by Prince William and Harry...specifically their anti-bullying initiative. They are donating the proceeds of their book to this charity. The money they have raised so far has helped reached thousands of school-aged children and training them to be Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.
Some studies have shown that redheads are more likely to be bullied than any person with any other color hair. A lead researcher even stated that ‘bullying of gingers’ is ‘one of the last socially accepted forms of prejudice against people for a trait they were born with’.
Even Prince Henry has been bullied for being a redhead. Just think about that. Even the royal family is not safe from this kind of prejudice.
#5
The disdain for red hair appears to be geographically split with Northern Europe, mainly the UK, at the forefront. But in places like Brazil and most of the South American countries having red hair is a desirable trait. In the Netherlands, they actually have a Redhead Day that celebrates all things red. However, there are things like South Park who celebrated a "kick a ginger day."
#6
After redheaded 15-year-old Helena Farrell committed suicide back in 2013 because she was bullied for her red hair, there were people calling for anti-ginger abuse to be labeled as a hate crime.
13-year-old Peyton James committed suicide in 2014 after dealing with years of abuse from his classmates. 14-year-old Simon Walters from Wolverhampton killed himself after being bullied in school. And, 15-year-old Adam Bailey also took his own life after being picked on for having orange hair.
The consequences of anti-redhead discrimination is quite obviously a serious matter, but where does it all come from you ask?
#7
It started way back in medieval times when redheaded people were often declared to be witches and were tormented routinely by the witch-finders. Redheads were also thought to be werewolves and vampires. Back then, the red hair was considered to be the mark of "beastly sexual desire and moral degeneration."
Redheads were also thought to be untrustworthy all because Judas was portrayed as a redhead. Up until the 19th century, in France, the term "poil de Juday" or "hair of Judas" was used in reference to redheads.
