I am a blood sucking, potions brewing, red-hot, sexual mortal. My genetic mutation has cast its mark upon my head, making me a rare individual. In some eyes, I am a descendent from Satan, a soulless creature upon this Earth to wreak havoc. You might as well unscrew my bolts because no matter to contrary beliefs, I am unhinged. Many believe I am mischievous, temperamental and untrustworthy, so read at your own risk.

I have been called many names throughout my 24 years in this pitiless world. Ginger, carrot top, and siren are only just a few. Yes, I am a redhead, a one hundred percent natural, since day one redhead. To make things even more interesting, it’s curly.

The stereotypes for redheads, or gingers, if you will, are mixed. Some people love the red shade I proudly sport of my head. I normally cannot go a whole day without someone saying something positive about it. On the contrary, I also cannot normally go a whole day without someone making a snide remark. Thanks to the cartoon “South Park,” its “Ginger Kids” episode created loathing, ginerphobia as I call it, towards fellow reds and myself.

Red hair throughout history proves to be more interesting than any other hair color. Blondes and brunettes have not received as much attention as the notorious shades of red. This recessive trait is said to be going extinct, making those gifted with the color unusual. The color takes over only four percent of human heads in the world and out of that four percent, one percent exists in the United States.

The color is so sporadic, that Poland has an ongoing rumored lottery designed around red hair. It is said that if you pass three redheads on any given day, you win their state lottery. And in Denmark, it is said to be an honor to have a redheaded child.

However, the color isn’t always worshiped. Hatred against red hair has reached a level of madness. Adolph Hitler saw red headed children as deviant offspring and the Egyptians saw red heads as so unlucky that they burned them alive. In Croatia, if a native passes a red haired being on the street, it’s customary to spit at them and turn around. And in Liverpool, there’s an old folks tale that says if you meet a redhead at the beginning of a long journey, it is a terrible omen. Even today the national kick a redhead day has bruised many red-haired children’s knees.

So, I may be a genetic mutation, and I may be going extinct, but what other hair colors automatically makes a human being a vampire when they die or an immortal witch? What other hair color assumes ones sexuality and personality?

Well, I highly doubt I will turn into a vampire upon death. If I was a witch, my Hogwarts acceptance letter must be lost in the mail, and no, I am not a red-hot, sexual mortal. Yes, I can be mischievous at times, but I am neither temperamental nor untrustworthy.

Well, I’ll leave this with all you blondes and brunettes: red hair doesn’t turn gray, so think twice next time you make fun of one of us.

Happy St. Patricks Day All!