There are many heated debates about racism, sexism homophobia yet i would like to attempt to classify a new type of abuse.
I have red hair and i also have a good friend with red hair but no other characteristics which would mark me down for name calling and such like.
I live in a middle class area in north of london in England yet i would consider it out of the ordinary if some idiot in his car did not shout at me and call me a vulgarity every day or so in reference to my hair.
Yet when i talk to my friends about this annoying stigma they shrug it off as a joke as its not racist or anything. Its the same at school as teachers did not care if i was being bullied as long as the black kids were ok (of course they were ok if anyone messed with them they would get their friends to beat them up or stab them). I can honestly tell you that the direction which most of the abuse was going to was people with red hair.
What is the term for this abuse? I dont think its racism as red hair isnt a race. And why does no one take this seriously as far as i know.
(To the editor of this topic thank you for tidying the language and grammar)
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Not Taken Seriously19% Voted for by petethemeat, SoldierOfDreams, Felicitas, Forsaken Anima, tomwc.
This isnt a sob story and its not to try and gain sympathy (i also mean no offence towards black people the forementioned guys are my friends but it is true about their violent activities)
What i am trying to say is that teachers shrug off abuse along the lines of that particular vulgarity (the teacher told the boy who was insulting my friend to 'quieten down') when calling a black person a nigger even in an innoffensive way results in immediate suspension.
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South park touched on this19% Voted for by christopheshea, verses on flesh, Back to Crystal, TurtleSensei, buggirl.
there's a recent episode of south park that touches on kids with red hair and freckles, cartman calls them Ginger kids and is quite prejudice towards them, i won't ruin the episode for ya, just thought it fit with this topic. But basically, prejudice has many forms, and it's not just color or race, it's just being different. Everybody's different, yet try to be the same and shame those who are different, kids are cruel, and everyone is a kid.
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Hmm...11% Voted for by Kazrith, Locke, Dienush.
well thats different. neveer heard of that kind of abuse. weird, in Canada everyone wants red hair. is this hypothetical? anyways if it is anything it is people who cannot except that other people are different. dont know how the red hair has anything to do with it
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not really prejudice. more like bullying11% Voted for by Neros Decay, TurtleSensei, tomwc.
i dont think its a sort of prejudice against your hair color. its more like these people have something against you as a person and are more than likely looking for things about your physical appearence to make you less secure about yourself. its a classic bullying tactic. i know someone who cant smile correctly due to nerve damage and she gets picked on alot for it. its not because she cant smile that they pick on her its because her "defect" makes her an easier target. the fact that you have red hair may make you an easier target. you can always retort back with an explanation to shut them up. bullies back off when they get countered. you mentioned youre part irish, so tell them youre irish. like i said, the fact that youre hair color is different or in a minority makes you that much easier to get at.and like previous people said before me, its got alot to do with envy. personally, i dye my hair red on purpose because red is such a beautiful color in hair. so, show off that red.
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Yo7% Voted for by WildRosetcmt, TurtleSensei.
Hey, don't worry about it, I have red hair too...Actually, most people are jealous of it....Be proud of who you are and what you have. Flaunt it, red heads are fiery and sexy! Lucille Ball said "Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead."
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I feel your confusionVoted for by rockys8r.
I am not one that has red hair, but I personally think it is sexy for a guy to have red hair.. My problem is that I am adopted... It isnt a verbal abuse, but it is more of negleting of one person. I dont like it because no one should judge people of how they got there and I live in a place where everyone accepts everyone... At least that is what other people say....
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Are you Irish? Just a Question.Voted for by SoldierOfDreams.
From what I know of English History, The English & Irish Historically had a troubled….history(heh, just noticed that,sorry) and the stereotype for Irishmen is that they generally have red hair. Even if you are not Irish, could it just be that your neighbors & classmates associate you with the Irish for the red hair?
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DifferentVoted for by Energizer Bunny.
I actually agree with Kazrith. I'm in the USA and God knows we have more than our share of abuse here but I've never heard of abuse against red heads. But, I do understand what you are saying and I appreciate your honesty.
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Hairism?boy, some people just go out of their way to find something to hate about someone else. Hairism? that's a new one on me! maybe some people have an axe to grind with the Irish or the Scottish (i'm a redhead myself.. my mother is half Irish AND half Scottish). I don't know.. sounds pretty stupid. If i lived around there, and if I didn't already have red hair, I'd DYE IT RED JUST TO PISS THEM OFF! Limey bastards. They still hav'nt gotten over the fact that a bunch of farmers and freemasons kicked their butts out of the North American colonies back in 1781. They even lost India to Ghandi, and he was a PACIFIST! Dont let those football-hooligans get to you. Most brits can't fight worth a crap, anyway.Voted for by NeferMaatNetjer.
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YepThe minority less seen as needing defense are usually those persecuted the worst. Stand up for your rights, it is a prejudice that is unacceptable.Voted for by TeChNoWC.
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Those "idiots" are angels sent from HeavenGod sees that you are weak. He has sent those idiots in the car to slowly chip away at your self-image. Your self-image is weak. God created you in his image. When they taunt you, they taunt God. And you have been letting them get away with it. God has sent those idiots to break down the wall you have created in your mind. He has sent them to make you stronger. To toughen your resolve. To make you a man.Voted for by Brew Kline.
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UncommonThere has always been negative attitude towards redheads in Europe. Many rumors have been spread over the years to disparage redheads. At one time red hair was said to be a sign of a witch. Why it is still an issue today, I have no idea, more than likely just because it's uncommon.Voted for by Gaz H.
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Its so annoyingI'm ginger and almost every day I get at least a few comments about my hair and just the other day someone threw a open bottle of tomato sauce in my face saying its suits me.Voted for by tomwc.
It's asthough people view it as softcore teasing. If you did something like that to a black person you would probably be beaten up.
Same as what my brother said, if you do talk to someone they just think your moaning as if it isn't serious. For example I was walking along the school corridors and a random person who I hadn't meet goes "Move it f*cking ginger tw*t" and a maths teacher walking along side just tells him not to swear and walks off and not a word about the prejudice comment he just made
It's just annoying more that anything
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April 12, 2006
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Are you Irish? Just a Question.
From what I know of English History, The English & Irish Historically had a troubled….history(heh, just noticed that,sorry) and the stereotype for Irishmen is that they generally have red hair. Even if you are not Irish, could it just be that your neighbors & classmates associate you with the Irish for the red hair?petethemeat
April 12, 2006
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April 25, 2006
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May 3, 2006
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Hmm
Hmm it does sound like Etnocentrism. This happens a lot here in America, but it usually focuses on dress or life style. Meaning, I a girl of 20, tend to dress in baggier clothing, as I am just not comfortable in tight, revealing clothing. Most people see this as proof that I am lesbian, even my own family and friends. I am seen as an idiot by others because of my darker skin and darker hair, or even my blonde and green ends of my hair. It's ridiculous really. People need to quit insulting one another and just live together peacefully!Please register or login to comment! It's totally free