Red And Proud: Is A Redheaded Power Movement Long Overdue?

As Americans celebrate their country's independence from the oppression of British rule, we are perhaps compelled to take a look at the notion that redheads have also been a historically oppressed as a group. Much as we here at GHM have tried to do our part to foster positive perceptions for redheads (redheaded men, at least) as we've stated before, the road for many has not been easy.

Singer Tim Minchin sings "only a ginger can call another ginger - ginger". He should know. He’s a redhead. The pale skinned, flame haired among us, hot as we here at GHM find them, in many cases suffer prejudice since they first emerge from the womb. Importantly, their persecution has gone largely unchecked.

To taunt someone for the colour of their skin is text book racism. Yet to malign someone for the colour of their hair has been seen as good fun when it comes to redheads. The carrot topped experience things others would know nothing about. Some believe it's getting better and yet others feel it is worse even as we are writing this piece, school children and adults alike in the UK have taken to calling our redheaded brothers (and sisters) the new term ‘Rangas’.

Although no one, would speak disparagingly of the orangutan, to be called a ‘Ranga’ is by no means a compliment. It doesn’t make sense. We don’t call people with brown hair ‘Rillas’ or blondes ‘Polars.’ Ranga may be one of those words that sits neatly beside "poofta" or the despised "N-word". Those sporting the scarlet skull need their own support groups to combat what some have called "anti-gingerism". There is a contingent who believe that legislation is needed to protect this oft maligned minority who occupy only 2-3% of the population.

Being born with red hair is rare. Throughout history it has been either prized, feared or ridiculed. Redheads are believed to be highly sexed and fiery tempered. But notably, they are also, statistically the most successful amongst all the hair colours. Then why aren’t they held up as heros? Why aren’t people raiding the red hair dye from shelves and making themselves a bit of imitation gingerhead? Instead brown and blonde haired, blue and brown eyed, white and brown skinned children unite in the mockery of the freckly ginger kid. Redheads have less melanin, have whiter skin and are more freckly. It not only makes them an obvious target, it makes it impossible to hide.

Some ask if redhaired prejudice, which according to reports, has reached outrageous levels in the UK, echos a historically perceived distaste the English may have for Celts and Scots, the two most predominantly redhaired races? Did it become worse since the advent of color TV in the 1960's building in the 40 years since? Has the techno age and its facilitation of quick information made it worse. Like any form of bigotry, anti-gingerism is pointless. Just yesterday I saw a beautiful, redheaded child with hair as orange as burnt honey. I wondered at what point, this source of incredible beauty would become a source of shame. How old would the child be when acne-faced boys with greasy hair or bleach blonde girls with fake tans would utter the first derogatory remark.

We say redheads need their own Martin Luther King, a ginger guru (not Lindsay Lohan or Conan O'Brien) to lead the way. In the Netherlands they actually have a two day festival called Redhead Day where naturally redheaded people flock to the streets, celebrating their genetic uniqueness. Its a great idea and a start at celebrating the uniqueness of being a redhead.

We here at GHM are doing our part, albeit with a decidely male and erotic bent. But on Independence Day, we call on gingers, redheads, "rangas" and those who love them to unite. Its time to turn the tables, brush out the gingervitus and give redheads the true credit they are due. On this day when we celebrate empowerment and remember the struggle for freedom, equality and liberty perhaps we should shout -"Red Power" as well...

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

top image provided courtesy Desilu69