The teasing stops eventually

by Sasha
(Los Angeles, CA)

In preschool and elementary school, I was the only redhead. I used to hate it. Kids would call me gingeee, flame brain, carrot top, and my personal favorite, period head. I used to see all the blonde girls and brunette girls and think, "Why can't I just look like them?" It's hard to blend in with flaming red hair and very fair skin!

Finally in middle school, I met a boy with red hair and we became close friends. This helped with the bullying because we had each other. We were the only redheads in the school so we got a lot of teasing.

Once I was about 16, I really started to embrace it. I realized that I was made special. It was also especially hard to accept it cause I'm the only redhead in my family; my grandfather had red hair, that's it. But I now truly love being a redhead. It's odd -- I used to get teased for it; now, people stop me on the street and tell me they love my hair. It's a trip.

For any red-haired boys and girls getting teased, here's my advice: remember, anyone who is teasing you is insecure. I know it can be very hurtful, but it stops. And embrace who you are; you are lucky, not cursed to be a redhead.

I'm 23 now, but I realize redhead teasing has gotten worse. I've seen stories on the news about kick a ginger day - it's gross. I can't understand why kids pick on red-haired people, it's just the color of our hair!! Anyway, rant over. All you redheads are beautiful, don't forget that!