The recent black & white news coverage of the presidential campaign has made me red all over. As they slice & dice the voters into identifiable segments of race and gender, one wonders if they have any regard for one of the human species most significant minorities, that is, red heads.
Red heads comprise about 1-2% of the human population. While this doesn't translate into a sizable enough portion of the voting population for politicians to cater a special message or program for, one does wonder whether the exclusion is based on prejudice or simply a lack of sensationalism that the media seems to need when issues and ideas become irrelevant in a winner take all electoral feeding. After all, redheads are just like everyone else.
According to Wikipedia;
Red hair appears in people with two copies of a recessive gene on chromosome 16 which causes a change in the MC1R protein. It is associated with fair skin color, freckles, and sensitivity to ultraviolet light, as the mutated MC1R protein is found in the skin and eyes instead of the darker melanin. Cultural reactions have varied from ridicule to admiration; many common stereotypes exist regarding redheads, and they are often portrayed as the "fiery-tempered redhead".
Even during his recent speech on race, candidate Obama acknowledged the irrelevant divide that the media propagates. Commentators would never discuss the uncomfortable feeling of the red headed kid in the lunch line as the lunch ladies embarrass them in front of their peers, cooing about the great color. Nor do they consider the stereotyping of fiery temperaments or the cruel associations of the red-headed step child.
Few are aware of the derogatory term 'ginger' ( gingerism and gingerphobia) with regard to red heads. While the UK Commission on Racial Equality does not consider it akin to racism, others have made the case. There are cases of discrimination and hatred towards redheads. Even the world of popular American culture is not without its extreme examples. While I'm not asking anyone to minimize the harm done by prejudice or racism, I would ask some to consider the plight of redheads whenever the idea of race or gender is brought forward in the campaign.
"While I'm not asking anyone to minimize the harm done by prejudice or racism..."
Sure you are. Don't run from your point.
Isn't the point that the obsessive nature of the media and reporting about race fails to include other groups ? The ultimate point being the absurd nature of the reporting.