Looking for paid writers

Gingerism.com has proven itself to be a very popular resource for people interested in red head prejudice. The site consistently sees over 6,000 unique visitors per month, even without regular updates. At it's peak it reached 25,000 unique visitors consistently, month on month.

I'm the sole author of Gingerism.com. Unfortunately, I have been unable to commit the time needed to keep the blog up to date. I run an online wish list business that absorbs any time I previously spent writing articles.

It is for this reason I am looking for paid writers to continue where I left off. I'm looking for writers who can produce professional, 100% impartial content that covers the latest news. I'll train you on how to use good SEO practises within your articles and I'll be available at short notice for any support needed when using Blogger. I have Google Reader feeds that supply plenty of Gingerism related articles to keep you busy.

I would like to see 8-10 articles written per month and I would be happy to pay $2 USD per article (about £1.30 in British pounds). This would double to $4 USD per article (about £2.50) once the site gets back to 25,000 unique visitors per month. I can either pay via PayPal at the end of each month or if you prefer, buy you something from your wish list if you set one up at Wishlings.

Gingerism.com gets a lot of press attention. We've been contacted by the BBC, Wall Street Journal, Kiss Magazine (Ireland), Youth Unlimited Magazine and many more. Your writing will get a lot of exposure. I will consider you a producer of the site and I can vouch for you in case you put the role on a CV or job application form.

If this sounds like something you'd like to explore, please email team@gingerism.com and say hello. Students welcome.

Thanks

Keiron

'Being called ginger is the least of his problems'

Price Harry is about to undergo intensive stress testing prior to his redeployment to Afghanistan later this year. According to an SAS source, Harry will suffer ridicule during interrogation sessions.

'Any sensitivities he had about his family or love life will be smashed open to see how he copes. Being called ginger is the least of his problems.'

Source

Am I ginger?

The Doctor regenerates and asks the question, 'Am I ginger?'

Domino's Pizza labels customer 'Ginger Kid'

A young boy was left shocked and upset after a Domino's Pizza employee labelled his order as 'Ginger Kid'. 11 year old Ross Wajgtknecht had given his full name when ordering the takeaway pizza yet the employee had decided to refer to him by his hair colour instead.


Ross's father thinks the labelling of his son as 'Ginger Kid' was malicious.

'It is totally disgusting. You would not describe someone by the colour of their skin or by calling them fat so why is it okay to call Ross ginger?

'Surely if they were writing his name on the receipt it would have been easier to write Ross. That only has four letters. Why write Ginger Kid instead?

'I think they picked on him because he is just a lad and they knew he wouldn't defend himself.

'It is prejudice. There is no way this should happen from adults in a workplace.

'They offered him a free pizza but the damage has already been done and he doesn't want to go back in case it happens again.'

Domino's has apologised for causing upset but does not accept that the labelling was malicious.

Source

Is 'ginger' a derogatory word?

Guardian columnist Barbara Ellen takes a look at the recent Domino's pizza incident and questions whether the use of 'ginger' to describe someone with red hair should really be considered a prejudicial attack on the individual.

It's horrible to hear of children crying, but was "ginger kid" in this context malicious? The whole tone of the story is that Ross suffered some kind of sub-racist, or otherwise discriminatory, attack – almost on a level with "spaz kid" or "paki kid". Rather more likely is that the Domino's staff meant no offence – it was just a description of who the food was for.

Which raises the issue of who or what we are allowed to describe without getting our PC knickers in a twist. "This pizza is for that boy who has… erm, hair of a vivid colour, the shade most associated with fire and sunset; on an artist's palette you could mix it with yellow and get orange… ah, sod it, the pizza's gone cold!"

In reading this article, you can't help wondering if Barbara has considered the evolution of language. She uses the the phrase "paki kid" as a genuine example of prejudice. Originally, the word "paki" was a non-offensive way of describing a person from Pakistan (in the same way a Gam is from Gambia or a Scot is from Scotland). The word has since evolved and is now always considered offensive.

The word 'ginger' is evolving in the same way and in the same direction. Eventually, it is likely 'ginger' will be considered a derogatory word and the only unoffensive way to describe a person with red hair will be to call them a red head.

Source

It's Heart A Ginga Day

Heart A Ginga day is being celebrated across New Zealand today. The day has apparently been renamed from 'Hug A Ginga Day', "to demonstrate 100% support and love for redheaded people all over New Zealand."

Promotion of the renamed event can be credited to Kiwi radio station The Edge.

Interestingly, the use of 'ginga', a word often considered offensive to red heads in the United Kingdom, has had a largely positive influence on red headed Kiwis.

According to 3news.co.nz, one participant says being called 'ginga' is "the ultimate compliment for a redhead". She continues, “This day is one of my favourites as I get gifts like Fanta, redbull, and gingernuts and receive the coolest compliments… this is one of the things that makes it great to be a ginge in NZ.”

Please, don't call me ginger

St. Cloud Times writer Adam Hammer elaborates on his most hated nickname: ginger.

Growing up with red hair, I’ve heard many associated nicknames — “flame brain,” “little red,” “carrot top,” “big red” and simply, “red” to name a few. All make me uneasy, but the one that comes the closest to a fighting word is “ginger.”

As soon as it rolls off the tongue, you know it isn’t meant as anything close to a compliment.

Source

Boxing war of words includes gingerism

Middleweight boxing adversaries DeGale and Groves have been caught in a war of words as the clock ticks down to their next fight. Groves dismissed DeGale's banter as childish, since his jibes have included a dig at Groves' supposedly bad breath and calling him "that ugly ginger kid".

Groves's response? "He's called me ugly - wow! It doesn't really cut too deep. He's called me ginger - it's not the first time I've heard that. That's the level he's at as a human being, but I'm above all that."

Source

More evidence of gingerism within the NFL

Late last month we published an article detailing a commentator's thoughts on the direct correlation between red hair and poor talent on the field. It seems this is a trend within the NFL, as another article has surfaced jokingly insinuating that Andy Dalton wasn't drafted in the first round because of, as the commentator puts it, "Gingerism, I tell ya."

Source: 2011 NFL Draft Round 1 Analysis: Why Carolina Took Cam Newton

Photographer taunted because of red hair

A photographer covering a court case in Massachusetts was on the receiving end of gingerism this week. Whilst photographing Touched By Angels CEO Gina Clark leaving the courthouse, one of her "entourage" spotted the photographer and shouted "Get a life, you f***ing red head!".

Source: Gina Clark pleads not guilty to all charges in Barnstable Superior Court today

NFL player talent dismissed because of red hair

An anonymous red-headed sports commentator from The Columbian reports on a recent bout of gingerism from an NFL scout.

We know a good quarterback has to have a head for the game, but this is a little extreme. In discussing TCU product Andy Dalton’s NFL Draft potential, one scout recently told Sports Illustrated’s Peter King: “Has there ever been a red-headed quarterback in the NFL who’s really done well? It sounds idiotic, but is there any way that could be a factor? We’ve wondered.”

Source: Talking Points: NFL scouts are seeing red

How red hair affects your health

According to a recent article from Peace FM Online, red heads have a higher risk of suffering several medical and emotional issues, and this is all down to the same genetic factors that make our hair red.

Anxious Red Heads

Reds are often more anxious than other colors. That’s because the same genetic factors that control melanin production (the DNA that gives hair its color) also affect how your body manages stress.

“The genes responsible for the ability to produce anti-stress hormones live close to melanocortin-1 receptors,” says Margaret Lewin, M.D., a New York internist.

And sometimes the gene mutation that causes red hair can lead the anti-stress genes astray, too, and cause faulty production of anxiety-reducing hormones like pregnenolone. “The decreased production of anti-stress hormones leaves a redhead more likely to be stressed out,” Lewin says.

Red Heads Feel More Pain

Redheads may require up to 20% more local anesthesia (Novocain or other, similar pain-numbing drugs) than other colors, says the study’s lead researcher, Cleveland Clinic anesthesiologist Daniel Sessler, M.D.

That’s because redheads’ melanocortin-1 receptors (the DNA responsible for hair color) are malfunctioning. In fact, red hair itself is the result of a gene mutation.

Red Heads With Parkinsons

Redheads have nearly a 50% greater chance of developing Parkinson's than people with other hair colors, according to a 2009 Harvard Medical School study. People with black hair have the lowest chance, followed by brunettes, then blondes, researchers found.

The gene responsible for fiery hair hues is headquartered close to a gene that, if mutated, can increase the risk for Parkinson's disease. And proximity can be all it takes to make one gene affect another.

Source: How Hair Color Affects Your Health

Kathy Griffin's complexion makes her "almost disappear"

A photographer for the Daily Mail spotted Kathy Griffin on a beach in Florida on Sunday.

The American comedian and actress stripped down to a camouflage bikini on the beach in Florida yesterday, putting her enviably honed body on show for all to see.

However, it wasn't the patterned two-piece she was wearing that helped her blend into her surrounds.

Rather, the red head's pale complexion saw her almost 'disappear' as she strutted along the white sand after taking a refreshing dip in the sea.

Source: A lesson in beach camouflage at 50

Ricky Gervais on Lewis CK: Fat Bald Ginger Cunt

Brit Ricky Gervais has congratulated fellow comedian Lewis CK for winning Best Stand-up at The US Comedy Awards.

Congratulations to Louis CK for beating me to Best Stand-up at The US Comedy Awards. Greatly deserved. It’s about time that fat bald ginger cunt caught a break.

He’s amazing on Talking Funny by the way.

Source: The Official Ricky Gervais Blog

Dermatologist's reaction to red head patient

Public Opinion has taken a look at society's reaction to red heads. Included in the article is the story of a patient's subjection to red head prejudice in the early 1980s.

"It was an office procedure, the doc asked me to stay put, and he left. Soon I could hear him on the phone in the room next to mine yelling," said Kleeberg, now Pierce County planning and land use director.

"I want that biopsy stat! This guy is not only a lawyer, he's a ******* redhead!"

Source: Not all redheads are feisty Irish -- or are they?

Vinny Guadagnino - "Gingers have no souls"

Jersey Shore star Vinny Guadagnino has tweeted "Gingers have no souls", a quote from the famous South Park episode. At the time of writing the post had been retweeted by over 100 people.

Source: Gingers have no souls

Convert to a redhead with GingerBooth

2010 startup Bluebear has capitalised on the popularity of red hair with the recent release of GingerBooth, an application that changes your photo so you look like you have red hair and freckles.

You can download the iPhone App here.

Red head prejudice rife in British primary schools

Gingerism.com has received two reports in the space of this week in relation to red head prejudice in British primary schools. The first comes from the mother of a 6 year old girl.

I have a 6 year old daughter, during a school lesson about tolerance and accepting differences in people, the teacher singled her out to point out she had "ginger" hair as opposed to the rest of the class who had blonde or brown. She answered - Mrs G, the polite way to say that is redhead, to which the teacher replied, No, you're not the colour of my jumper (red) YOU ARE GINGER. I'm sure, to the amusement of the rest of the kids in the class.

I complained to the head teacher but was basically told, it wasn't said in malice and I should get over it.

The second comes from a primary school teacher, who retold the story of a red headed child's response to being singled out for the colour of her hair.

The class of 4 year olds were in circle time. The discussion was about how everyone is different, with a focus on how people have different eyes and hair colour. During this discussion, one child pointed at a red headed girl and said "yeah and she's ginger!".

The next day, the red headed girl came back into class, having cut her own hair off the night before.

If your goal in life is to stand up against all kinds of prejudice, you should consider earning a degree in social justice and find a job that can help prevent social exclusions and promote equality.

Red hair fast becoming the fashion statement of 2011

The Southland Times has an interesting piece taking a look at the rising popularity of red hair among celebrities, models and politicians.

After decades of playground taunts, it seems redheads are finally rising to the fore. Prominent New Zealand redheads include author and broadcaster Peta Mathias, actress Geraldine Brophy, singer-songwriter Eva Prowse, Dominion Post editor Bernadette Courtney, and TV presenter Samantha Hayes and former presenter Maggie Barry.

[...]

"Red hair is definitely in fashion right now," says New Zealand hairdresser Richard Kavanagh, who is working at Milan Fashion Week. A fortnight ago Kavanagh was working backstage at New York Fashion Week where redheaded models walked for Marc Jacobs, Diesel, Rag & Bone and Ralph Lauren. Kavanagh also worked on two fashion shoots "featuring gorgeous red-haired models".

[...]

"Red hair is such a statement of personality and in today's fashion climate of anything goes, it's one of the few ways to maintain a degree of elegance and sophistication while still showing a lot of personality," Kavanagh says.

Source: The year of the redhead

Derogatory phrase 'ginga' used in mainstream press article

The slang phrase 'ginga' has been used in the opening paragraph of an article concerning Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

How many Aussie gingas does it take to make history?

Source: Aussie redheads call shots in NZ House

Recognising talent unacceptable when coming from a fellow red head

Recognising talent in another red head is "shameful" according to Belfast Telegraph pundit.

Wee Gordon Strachan continued his audition for the role [of Sky Sports News Presenter] during ITV’s coverage of the Southampton v Man Utd game.

While he may not be sexist, racist, ageist or anything else, he shot himself in the foot with the worst case of pro-gingerism I’ve ever witnessed.

“The best English midfielder since I’ve started watching football,” Strachan said of Paul Scholes, and we nodded knowingly. Shameful.

Source: Billy on the Box: Savage ready to step in for the cavemen