Haana

There’s a bunch of us. All the output of a mutation of the MC1R gene on chromosome 16. We all come in different shades with different textures. Light to dark, straight to curly and take up less than 2% of the world's population. For me personally, walking down a busy street is constant stares reminding me of the massive orange mop on my head.

 

Yes I am a redhead and it has a massive impact on who I am. The Urban dictionary defines a redhead as “An exotic woman with a fiery temper” and in some ways I can relate to this statement. I see the world as a magical place full of diversity, and I’m grateful to stand out of the crowd and share a cheeky smile, or nod of mutual respect to my other fellow redheads. Unfortunately it hasn’t been all happy days waiting for Professor X to approach me to join the other mutant X-men. Being badly bullied all my schooling years, I didn’t understand why my hair was so bright and my skin was so white and spotty. Names like, ranga, carrot top and bush fire now don’t phase me  but I will never forget being called an “ugly ranga mutt.”

 

When my early years of high school came around it got worse. I was the ugly ginger. Taking the bus meant tears and anxiety attacks, as the boys who attended the nearby schools threw rubbish into hair and called me names. My friends at the time encouraged that it would stop if I dyed my hair brown, so I did. I even went to the extent of sitting my face in lemon juice for hours hoping my freckles would just disappear. I couldn't be myself, I wasn't myself anymore, now I wasn't the ginger, I was the girl who tried so hard to fit in. I fell into a deep depression, self harming and struggling to find my identity, I still carry the scars, the words embedded in my heart. It has taken many years of self discovery and self-acceptance to embrace my appearance and walk freely with confidence letting my hair fly free!

 

If I could turn back time and tell my younger self that I was truly beautiful. That one day I’d be asked for photos and even locks of my hair. That the boys who bullied me would later on in life try ask me out on dates (and you said no because your awesome). Not to dye my hair or bleach my face, but to accept my natural beauty just as everyone else should accept themselves for their own individuality. I’m happy to share my uniqueness and encourage others to welcome their own. We let our hair fly free and add a little spice to the lives of others around us. Walk with pride my Auburn friends!

bless up.

 

@_redemon