It's no longer National Redhead Day, but, as I'm a woman of my word, I feel it pertinent to write. I am a work in progress, so thank you for your patience, jolly dependable readers.
Won't you pour some tea and I shall get on with it? Today, my beverage of choice is apple spice tea with honey.
Since I am a real redhead, I now celebrate the fact that I have an extra chromosome.
As you may well know, I have been on a self-awareness voyage for almost five years, and my thoughts have led me to several conclusions.
Ever since I was a sprout, I've been the inquisitive type. Throughout my life, there have been assumptions made about me, because of my red hair. On this particular day, I'd like to share my experiences as a redhead, as well as, vexings, victories and a tad bit of history.
Throughout history, women with red hair were shunned and burned at stake, all because they had hair the colour of flames. They were labelled as witches and vampires, who spewed fire from their lungs.
As a young girl with red hair, I was bullied. Redheads weren't admired; especially, the way that they are now. In fact, today, it seems that every turn I take, a woman is dying her hair red. I think I had {or have}, a little resentment with regards to the treatment that I received as a young girl, in comparison to the treatment women get nowadays. It seems that women today are admired and adored. That was not the case when I was young. Let's be honest, there's a whole new way that women with red hair get attention.
I think you can collectively understand my sentiments, without me having to further my case, that I developed paramount insecurities by having red hair. I even went so far, as to dye my hair brown, because of my dangers.
Here are several things that scientifically make me different because of red hair:
1. Redheads have a recessive gene, and both parents must have the gene, to have a child with red hair. The parent doesn't have to have red hair themselves, and often a parent carries the gene, without knowing.
2. Redheads make up 2% of the population, making us quite rare. England and Ireland are the most populated with folks having red hair.
3. Redheads are more sensitive to pain and more resistant to pain medication.
4. We carry a mutant gene, which makes us genetically different.
5. We have a superior adrenal function. Meaning, that, in a fight or flight scenario, having a redhead around would be beneficial; we operate very well in dangerous situations.
6. Redheads have a different smell. The skin mantle of a redhead is more acidic. Meaning, that when we wear perfume, oils or fragrances, the scent is distinct. We have to apply scents more frequently than the average person, as odours fade more quickly than perhaps, a blond or brunette.
7. Redheads are more sensitive to thermal pain; and more vulnerable to hot and cold temperatures.
8. We are more susceptible to getting cancer.
9. We have more vitamin D than other folks.
10. Historically, we've been seen as royalty. Have you ever noticed, in movies or storybooks, how many redheads are either, the heroines or villains?
11. We have a high tolerance to heat.
A delightful book about the history of redheads is, "Red-A History of the Redhead" by Jacky Collins Harvey.
Most affably your til my next swim, Raquelxxx
