Growing up as a Ginger was tough. At 13 years old being teased for the color of my hair, fair skin, and freckles was hard at the time. Living in California; Land of the Tan and Blonde, wasn't pleasant for a Ginger. In my high school there was only about 4 other Gingers in the whole school. (and dying you're hair red wasn't big at the time.)
Being told to get a tan or that freckles made my skin look dirty were just a few of the comment that still to this day I hear from people. Okay, hear this people. Redheads don't tan! They burn! And for me when the burn peals off it's the same white skin underneath. Now days, I'm more than willing to tell people to F*** off when they feel the need to comment about my fare skin. But at 13 years old I didn't have half that courage to speak up.
You'd think that by now with all the skin cancer talk, people would wise up. As a Ginger I can even get burned from overcast. In the summer I slather SPF 50 on my skin daily. Beach outings usually require a hat, long sleeves, and pants.(Because having to put sunscreen on several times throughout the day can be slightly annoying. And even then there's a chance of burning.)
I remember one experience while at a store a fellow Redhead came up to me. And with out a word from me she smiled and said, "Someday, you'll love your beautiful red hair." How she knew, I can only assume, she too likely grew up being teased about her hair also. Having a beautiful, vibrant haired, fair skinned woman encouraging me to accept what I viewed as cursed hair was a wake up call that years later would ring true.
Today, I am grateful for my red hair and fair skin. It's different and makes me stand out in a crowd. As a teenager I wanted to blend in and couldn't, but as an adult I have no desire to blend in. Being different makes people remember me at a interview, or in a crowd I'm easily found. Also 4 of my children had red highlights in their hair which was the cutest thing on a kid.
Recently, I heard it was suggested that redheads will be extinct by the year 2060. Less and less Gingers are being born. I hope that this doesn't happen, because redheads remind us visually of one thing, be different. Whether the public realizes it or not, redheads teach people about acceptance and being unique is about accepting our true selves.
