This post is so far off of the topics of weight loss, getting healthy, being a better mom, and PCOS. This is going to be a semi pissy rant. You may want to stop reading if foul language insults you in any way.
I was born a redhead. When my paternal aunt visited in the hospital she whispered to my mom, “Don’t worry, we can always dye her hair.” Thus began my life as a “ginger. I did a little research into where the term ginger originated. There is a lot of bullshit floating around Google and Wikipedia surrounding the topic.
The following are a few examples of what I found:
Contrary to most people’s experience, ginger root (Zingiber officinale) is not the only ginger plant in existence. The ginger plant of Malaysia, Alpinia purpurata, is a brilliant red. In the late 18th century and the 19th century the British occupied parts of Malaysia (among other countries), and started coming into regular contact with the Red Ginger. This is the same period during which “ginger” came to mean “red-haired” or “red-plumed.” Brits were not fond of the Gaelic Celts, many of whom had red hair. The term “ginger or ginga” took on a derogatory tone. “
“Those whose hair is red, of a certain peculiar shade, are unmistakably vampires. It is significant that in ancient Egypt, as Manetho tells us, human sacrifices were offered at the grave of Osiris, and the victims were red-haired men who were burned, their ashes being scattered far and wide by winnowing-fans. It is held by some authorities that this was done to fertilize the fields and produce a bounteous harvest, red-hair symbolizing the golden wealth of the corn. But these men were called Typhonians, and were representatives not of Osiris but of his evil rival Typhon, whose hair was red.”
“Describing a redhead as a ‘ginger’ is actually a very old tradition (unfortunately). In ancient times, people believed that red hair was a sign that you had ‘stolen the fires of hell’, and were a witch. Since witches were rumored to use a lot of ginger in their potions and whatnot, they called any and all redheads ‘gingers’. It went out of style for a very long time but has somehow found it’s way back to present times. So maybe people should rethink their use of that word, since calling someone a ginger could have killed them centuries ago, whether you were joking or not.”
To be honest, I don’t really care where the term came from. I’m almost positive that I don’t like it though. The word itself is actually cute. However, I’m beginning to hate it. And this is probably why:
And my all time favorite!
SERIOUSLY??????????????????????? What the hell? If someone ever kicked me because I had red hair, I’d punch them in the throat! This isn’t funny. I find no humor in it what-so-ever.
Ok Wonka, let’s discuss the theories that women with red hair have fiery tempers and are over-sexualized. I am a bit on the bitchy side and quick to get pissed off. I don’t know if that’s because my hair is orange, I have a hormonal imbalance, or if I was just born that way. I’d lean towards that last reason, but who the fuck knows. As for being over-sexualized… I don’t kiss and tell.
and um, her hair is not naturally that color! The drapes do not match the carpet if you know what I’m saying!
All kidding aside, Martin Luther King Day is coming up and I hope that everyone can put their political, cultural, sexual and any other type of biases aside and be nice to each other. Because if you don’t, I may come for you in the dead of night and eat your soul!
For those of you who truly know me, you know that this post was written with a bit of sarcasm. The term ginger doesn’t really bother me, except for the kicking part. Redheaded step child on the other hand……
Luv, Col
Happy October!!!
Overhauling Mama 