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It's Monday morning in the office and all are casually discussing the weekend's events. Suddenly, one ill-fated, hat-wearing member breaks down and confesses the terrible something that happened to her; she'd tried to dye her hair over the weekend but it had gone wrong. It had gone... ginger.
The intake breath of shock confirms the unpleasantness of the situation. Words of sympathy are quickly expressed, and guidance on sure-fire ways to help solve this impediment exchanged. Then everyone turns to me, the 'ginger' of the group, and re-registers my existence: "Oh... Vicky. You know that we don't mean that your hair is bad. We like your hair colour. If we had to be ginger we'd want to be your colour."
How sweet. If everyone had to be ginger, I'd be leading the pack; it's a charming thought.
But note the real problem here; the association of the colour 'ginger' and 'wrong,' mixed with the fact that normally in such cases, the resulting shade of ginger really is, undeniably, wrong. It certainly doesn't bode well for the natural (and better toned) gingers in the world. Add that 'ginger' South Park episode and such darling Facebook events as 'punch a ginger day,' and it's no wonder we find ourselves living in an ever increasing 'ginger-ist' society.
And it seems that no-one is safe. Whatever shade of redhead you are - burnt orange, bright orange, reddy-brown, reddy-blonde - to most nowadays you will only be classified as one thing - a ginger. This once simple and innocent word has developed into something sinister, and often haunts those associated with it. Suggested in recent newspaper articles as the, "last acceptable prejudice," there have been numerous stories of 'ginger-ist' attacks; from milkshakes being thrown at unsuspecting redheaded victims, incessant shouts of "oi, ginger!" from the obviously more observant members of society, and even whole ginger-haired families being driven from their homes after relentless taunts about their fiery tresses.
But hang on a minute. Maybe I'm letting my hot redheaded temperament get the better of me and have spoken out too soon... Maybe society is re-examining its dullish locks and booking an appointment at the salon because apparently... ginger is in! No, I kid you not. In the fashion, music and beauty world right now we flame-haired deities are cool, stylish and desirable. Need clarification? Scarlett Johansson has already ginger-fied her tresses, Cheryl Cole leapt onto the redhead bandwagon weeks ago, flame-haired divas like La Roux and Florence from Florence and the Machine are topping the charts, and Nicole Kidman made a speedy return months ago to her (auburn) roots. Fellow carrot-tops be assured, we are hip once more.
Yet though our distinguishing colouring is yet again being recognised as something striking - rather than something to strike at, we'd be right not to get complacent just yet. After all, the 'redhead' has had many prevalent spells over the years (think Pre-Raphaelites, Elizabethan and Jessica Rabbit.) Yet, similarly, there are numerous periods when the popularity quickly wore off (the Egyptians used to bury redheads alive...) So what is the future for us rare breed? Can we maintain our new style stardom in the fashion world or will it be merely a fad that will make up next month's worst dressed list?
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Perhaps celebrity endorsement is all we needed. Perhaps celebrity endorsement is the way forward for any flailing minorities who need a little boost in the popularity charts. If the cool people say it's cool, then it's cool right? But there's a problem - what happens when our leaders let us down and the cool are literally not so hot anymore? For example, Lindsay Lohan. Once a beautiful, proud redhead. But alas, the 'ginger' banter began including that particularly cringe-worthy 'fire crotch' incident and the result? Her abscond to the bleach blonde side with not a thought to those she left behind. Then there are the lesser glamorous celebrities who have taken it upon themselves to help fight our corner. Think Beth Ditto and her orange hair and we have a great example of someone who, whilst no doubt has the best intentions, is really only hindering the cause.
Maybe gingers are simply the Van Goghs of our generation - we are unappreciated in our own time. Apparently, with only 2% of the world's population being ginger, and that number ever decreasing, scientists have predicted that our rare ginger genes may be extinct as soon as 2100. So, assuming that the ginger conservation project fails (c'mon - if pandas get one then surely there will also be something to help save us gingers?!) then you just know what would happen next... ginger would become popular and sought after! Like a Tamagotchi or Michael Jackson - if it's unavailable, then human nature only makes us appreciate and want it more!
Still, the point is, right now, we are in. Ginger is the new blonde. Natural auburns, strawberry blondes, titians and redheads alike can delight in their current popularity and enjoy the flattery of people mimicking their distinctive shades and tones. And if the fad does wear off? Who cares! We can continue living with our unique trait in our own individualistic way, comforting ourselves by asking who'd want to look like everyone else anyway?
Of course the definitive confirmation of our new notoriety will be that morning when it is announced; "I dyed my hair last night and you won't believe my luck! It only went ginger!" It'll happen any day now I'm sure...
Do you have titian tresses and feel that redheads are villified, or do you love your gorgeous auburn locks? Join the debate below!
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It's only people that can't think for themselves that actually go along with anti ginger comments. I have little respect for people who can't form their own identity and want to blend in with the person next to them; get some individuality.
Britain is the only country that has this hang up about red hair, every other country views it a something rare, exotic and beautiful.
It is rude, disrespectful and wrong to speak about someone with red hair in the way the article describes and it's time people realised how offensive it is. I was told I should have been drowned at birth because of my hair colour by one nasty individual. The press report recent stabbings, harrassment ending in police protection and dreadful bullying ending in suicide all based on hair colour. It's wrong.
And it's so stupid because it's so beautiful. You only need to look at those in the media with red hair to see that.
Very often friends and family (the non-ginger 1s) have a conversation about how ugly,unflattering and minging ginger hair is. Once they are done they turn around and say to me ''noo not your shade of ginger yours is lovely..we're talking about all the other mingers!''
sulking, giving dirty looks and making nasty comments back doesnt work as they say..oh c'mon you're not a child anymore..grow up you know we didnt mean you your so beautiful blah blah blah
i am sick and tired of a lifetime of bullying, if my children were to turn out ginger i would do everyhting in my power to prevent them getting the same harrassment i did.
good article
Well as a non red head man I would like to say that I love all shades of red headed women.
So dont worry all the others are only envyous of you.
And im sure theres lots of others who fancy red heads so walk with pride.