Modern Hill Woman

Redheaded

Missouri Summer

If you see me outside this summer and it’s over 90°, I appreciate you asking if I’m okay. My face may be bright red and I’ll be really hot. You may think I’m having a heat stroke, but I am likely alright. I’m just a redhead trying to survive a hot, humid Missouri summer.

Studies prove that redheads are more sensitive to cold, heat, pain, thermal sensation, and UV light. They’re often accused of being quick tempered, but that fiery temper may be intolerance to pain. Redheads need more anesthesia before surgery. A genetic variant causes red hair and fair skin.

Redheads are prone to freckling. When I was younger, I didn’t like my freckles. My granddaughters tell me that freckles are now in style, and some people go as far as getting tattooed freckles.

Two percent of the world are redheads with most having northern Europe ancestry. Thank you to my Scottish and Irish ancestors for my increased risk of melanoma.

At various times red hair has been prized, feared and ridiculed. Since redheads supposedly have bad tempers, it was concluded that redheaded women committed more crimes. During the Middle Ages, red hair and green eyes were thought to be the sign of a werewolf, witch, or vampire. During the Inquisition, redheads were identified as Jewish and persecuted because of their rejection of Jesus. In art, Judas is commonly depicted as red haired. Conspiracy theories abound that redheads are alien/human hybrids whose ancestors mated with human kings and queens.

The word “ginger” originated in England, creating terms like “gingerphobia” and “gingerism”. Gingerism has been compared to racism with people suffering attacks based on hair color. In the US, a Facebook group, “Kick a Ginger Day”, promoted beatings of “gingers”, mainly children, that day across the country.

Fun carrot-top facts: Bees are more attracted to redheads. They are more likely to be left-handed. Their hair generally doesn’t go gray, but fades to white. They have fewer hairs on their head, 90,000 as opposed to most people having 140,000. They bleed longer, so special preparations are made during childbirth. Their skin mantle, a thin film on the skin’s surface, is more acidic. This causes perfume to evaporate quickly and emits a unique smell of its own.

Stay spicy, Gingers.