June 10, 2013
Monday AM

This year at Schoenbar something noteworthy happened. Red hair occurs in 1-2% of the human population (Wikipedia). Schoenbar had at least three times the average number of redheaded 7th and 8th grade students. Students, staff and parents noticed this rare event and wanted to remember it. The students arranged for all the redheads to have a picture taken to be included in the Year Book. The same was done for twins since there were so many twins at Schoenbar this year. Well, one person called the office and complained. One very childish and extremely petty parent has something against redheads (Gingerism - prejudice against redheads). Maybe this person was bullied by a redhead in their youth. Maybe they have a phobia of red hair (Gingerphobia hatred of redheads). Whatever the silly reason, one phone call was all it took for Schoenbar to remove that picture from the Year Book.

Why was the picture removed? What is the difference between noting an abundance of twins and recognizing a lot of redheads? Why exclude the redheads? And why did the school allow one phone call to dictate the contents of their Year Book? That sends a message to every red headed student that there is something wrong and negative about being a redhead. Redheads aren t worthy of being remembering? They should be ashamed of their hair? That is WRONG. Instead why not celebrate this unique and special occurrence? Why not use it to teach about statistics and genetics? There are pictures of all sorts of other groups in the Year Book (Wrestling, Best Laugh, Dance Team, etc.) Why did you leave out redheads? I m proud of my redhead and I ll continue to tell her that red hair is just as beautiful and noteworthy as being a twin or having a delightful laugh. So here s to all those wonderful redheads who were at Schoenbar this year! Ginger Rocks!

Trené Elliott
Ketchikan, Alaska

About: "Proud Momma of a lovely Alaskan redhead."

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