Ravishing Redhead Riddled with Rage

by Amelia Shettle
(USA)

I would agree that redheads often tend to be more passionate than others, but they do not necessarily have worse tempers. I am a redhead and am not irascible. When I do get riled, however, it will be for something I feel strongly about. My brother, also a redhead, truly never loses his temper. I can't say I've ever really seen him angry - and I've lived with him for 19 years!

Nevertheless, these stereotypes exist and they wouldn't exist if they were 100% false. My theory is that because redheads are told their whole lives that they inherently have bad tempers, many may eventually fulfill that stereotype. After all, if everybody gives someone a hard time for being a certain way, what will stop that person from acting out what is already assumed? They're being punished for something they haven't done, so may as well go ahead and do it.

Unfortunately, it's become rather commonplace to make fun of redheads. Just in the last month or so, I've been told I have no soul several times, called a witch and various derogatory names. I have very rare, dark red hair which is impossible to get from a bottle (though that doesn't deter people from spending fortunes trying to attain it). I am not an "ugly redhead" (as if there is such a thing); I've been offered modeling jobs for example, yet I am still teased and made fun of for my hair.

But then, life isn't fair. Que será, será. We simply must not let ourselves be discouraged by others' words. After all, everyone knows they're just jealous. ;)