Why the redhead hate?

[rednay]

Ok Karen, since I've seen your picture and know that you are a member of the "sisterhood of redheads" what's up with the redhead hate? In Darkfever you quote the heroine Mac as stating that she would die her hair "any color but red" and then say something about her not wanting an "orangehead". Now, now, as a redhead myself I found this a bit off-putting to say the least. I expected more from you Karen. In England there have been many recent incidents involving "redhead discrimination" against "gingers". I'm proud to be a "ginger" and so should you be. I've enjoyed your Highlander and now Fever series but please less redhead hate ok?

Not a redheaded step-child.

[Michelle*My*Belle]

I'd give my right eye-tooth to be a redhead! I LOVE that color. With a fair complexion and freckles. My first puppy-love had red hair and my thought process was, "if we get married (I was only 14) and have kids, at least maybe my children would have red hair". He was HOT, older by about 3 years, but HOT. I've often thought that my roots should be red since I have a temper at times. :a20:

I'd love to see a picture of your ginger hair!:65:

[claudia celestial girl]

Yes, Yes! Pictures! Pictures!

Oh - and allow me to say that IMHO, the comments are coming from Mac and not from Karen. So you should take out your eire on her (Mac). She's the shallow one. She's the one-hit wonder.

ps. who knew Karen was a redhead!

[Pyxie]

Yes, Yes! Pictures! Pictures!

Oh - and allow me to say that IMHO, the comments are coming from Mac and not from Karen. So you should take out your eire on her (Mac). She's the shallow one. She's the one-hit wonder.

ps. who knew Karen was a redhead!

I agree! It is coming from Mac not Karen, each one of Karens charaters comes with their own unique personality - or shallow lack there of - in Mac's case.

At the start of this book Mac is a frivolous blonde barbie doll, that is exactly something I would expect to hear from her. By the end of the book she has aquired a little more depth, and has started to grow on me, but at the start - I did not like her character, and was trying to figure out where Karen was going with her.

[Liberty]

I'm sure it's nothing personal and there are different types of reds.
She's probably just writing it how the character would think, it doesn't necessarily mean that the character has some part of Karen in her, she can be someone completely made up. I'm sure as a redhead herself growing up she's gotten some hate for it and that's maybe where she gets the idea from.
I don't know but I'm pretty sure it's not meant to be an attack from her but from her character Mac.

[jeant]

Yes, Yes! Pictures! Pictures!

Oh - and allow me to say that IMHO, the comments are coming from Mac and not from Karen. So you should take out your eire on her (Mac). She's the shallow one. She's the one-hit wonder.

ps. who knew Karen was a redhead!

Look at the pictures of KMM on the board. She has beautiful red hair!! Count me in the ones who would love to be naturally red-auburn headed!

[claudia celestial girl]

Look at the pictures of KMM on the board. She has beautiful red hair!! Count me in the ones who would love to be naturally red-auburn headed!
Ha! When I looked at the picture on the board I thought to myself - Great Suit! Even now - my eye always goes to that suit!

[Michelle*My*Belle]

Welcome to the board! Can't wait to chat with ya!:happy0158:

[rednay]

I understand where everyone is coming from and I understand that Mac is a character and somewhat shallow (at the beginning) but I don't attribute that to her blonde hair. I guess I just got set off because of an article I read in the local paper recently about redhead discrimination. Right after I read the article I was reading "Darkfever" and saw the quote from Mac about not wanting to be a redhead and I guess I just got a bit miffed. That whole thing about redheads and temper...well there is a grain of truth in it. There are only two kinds of prejudice left that people get away with, one is against overweight people and the other against redheads. I love Karen's writing and I love being a redhead I'm just tired of all the redhead bashing and it's everywhere. Since Karen is a member of the sisterhood I just figured she would understand. I'll get off my high horse now.

Carrot Tops are green people!

:th_celtic:

[rednay]

Welcome to the board! Can't wait to chat with ya!:happy0158:
I look forward to posting with you too. This is an interesting forum and anyone who likes the writing of KMM is allright by me. Her books are outstanding and my husband is also reading them!

[Desire]

I understand where everyone is coming from and I understand that Mac is a character and somewhat shallow (at the beginning) but I don't attribute that to her blonde hair. I guess I just got set off because of an article I read in the local paper recently about redhead discrimination. Right after I read the article I was reading "Darkfever" and saw the quote from Mac about not wanting to be a redhead and I guess I just got a bit miffed. That whole thing about redheads and temper...well there is a grain of truth in it. There are only two kinds of prejudice left that people get away with, one is against overweight people and the other against redheads. I love Karen's writing and I love being a redhead I'm just tired of all the redhead bashing and it's everywhere. Since Karen is a member of the sisterhood I just figured she would understand. I'll get off my high horse now.

Carrot Tops are green people!


:th_celtic:

I don't know what you mean by "Carrot Tops are green people!" But, don't take it personal, it's Mac talking not Karen.

[rednay]

I don't know what you mean by "Carrot Tops are green people!" But, don't take it personal, it's Mac talking not Karen.
All my life I've been called a "Carrot Top" it is a common term for a person with redhair. I recently saw a t-shirt with the slogan "Carrot Tops are Green, Einstein" And it is true when you think about it, carrot tops are green not orange so how could I be a carrot top unless I had green hair.

[LisK]

Hair color is the last thing you would think people these days would consider as something that defines personality. But it's hard to let go of easy ways to "define" someone. And certainly there are derogatory terms for every hair color: blonde bimbo (stupid), fiery redhead (tempermental), mousy brown (meek and dull), gypsy black (untrustworthy).
I think the topic is stereotypes, really, and Mac's character would be someone who may fall back on stereotyping more so than some others because of her sheltered upbringing. By the end of the book, she's had her eyes opened wide, re: judging any "book by its cover". And that's what we like to see in heriones in books - that she learns and grows as she progresses through the story.

[Pyxie]

That whole thing about redheads and temper...well there is a grain of truth in it.


There certinly is, I have an auburn natural color hair complete with freckles on the bridge of my nose and I burn really easliy in the sun (sun screen is my best friend!), my 12 year old daughter likens my temper to a mushroom cloud!

Now that I am older I am happy with the way I look, but when I was younger, I hated my red hair and freckles!!! Hated them. I tried to dye my hair every other color imaginable because I was teased unmercifully, so I understand being miffed with the 'orangehead' comment. :D

I do stand behind the the comment coming from Mac though not Karen, she probably went through some of the same harassement that we did when we were younger! :65:

BTW, Welcome aboard! :happy_face_waving:

[Michelle*My*Belle]

Hair color is the last thing you would think people these days would consider as something that defines personality. But it's hard to let go of easy ways to "define" someone. And certainly there are derogatory terms for every hair color: blonde bimbo (stupid), fiery redhead (tempermental), mousy brown (meek and dull), gypsy black (untrustworthy).
I think the topic is stereotypes, really, and Mac's character would be someone who may fall back on stereotyping more so than some others because of her sheltered upbringing. By the end of the book, she's had her eyes opened wide, re: judging any "book by its cover". And that's what we like to see in heriones in books - that she learns and grows as she progresses through the story.


I think too that we ALL can identify with the blond, PRE-greyman, PRE-Ireland Mac. Blissfully unaware. There was a time, while I lived under my fathers roof, that I had NO CLUE what the "real world" was like. I didn't pay bills, I was always clothed, warm, full, and blissfully unaware. I didn't NOT like Mac. I could relate to the person that she was and can relate to the person that she's become. :65:

[rednay]

There certinly is, I have an auburn natural color hair complete with freckles on the bridge of my nose and I burn really easliy in the sun (sun screen is my best friend!), my 12 year old daughter likens my temper to a mushroom cloud!

Now that I am older I am happy with the way I look, but when I was younger, I hated my red hair and freckles!!! Hated them. I tried to dye my hair every other color imaginable because I was teased unmercifully, so I understand being miffed with the 'orangehead' comment. :D

I do stand behind the the comment coming from Mac though not Karen, she probably went through some of the same harassement that we did when we were younger! :65:

BTW, Welcome aboard! :happy_face_waving:

I'll get over myself and you guys are right. I do believe that KMM was trying to stress the shallowness of Mac at that point more than her own personal prejudice. There are many things that bug me about Mac, like her doing so many reckless things when she should know better. I guess KMM wanted to illustrate Mac as a very naive young woman so that later when she learns a few lessons the reader will be able to see the change for the better in her character. The redhead comment is very much in line with Mac's personality up to that point in the story. :33:

[LisK]

I think too that we ALL can identify with the blond, PRE-greyman, PRE-Ireland Mac. Blissfully unaware. There was a time, while I lived under my fathers roof, that I had NO CLUE what the "real world" was like. I didn't pay bills, I was always clothed, warm, full, and blissfully unaware. I didn't NOT like Mac. I could relate to the person that she was and can relate to the person that she's become. :65:

You could sort of relate Mac's blissfully unaware state to innocence, and what she goes through to each person's "growing up". Only she did it much faster and in a more other-worldly way!

[Danielle42]

I'd give my right eye-tooth to be a redhead! I LOVE that color. With a fair complexion and freckles. My first puppy-love had red hair

My first puppy love was a redhead too (I had forgotten about that!) and my DH is a dark redhead (his beard especially. He's Russian so my friends used to call him "Sasha the Red", as in Communist...:03: ). My son is currently blond - like his Dad was at his age - so perhaps he's got red hair in HIS future too!

Me, I'm a dark brown brunette, but with reddish highlights - does that count?!?!? :happy0194:

[miss lulu]

All my life I've been called a "Carrot Top" it is a common term for a person with redhair. I recently saw a t-shirt with the slogan "Carrot Tops are Green, Einstein" And it is true when you think about it, carrot tops are green not orange so how could I be a carrot top unless I had green hair.

You're right about that, but I think your over reacting to this a bit. Take it easy! I'm a red/blonde head female. Just remember this: (I got it of other redhead) is if you have red hair you're smart. Even if it is not true, it makes me feel better.

[Susiq2]

I am a natural blond. I tried dying my hair red. It was a disaster. My pale eyebrows, and fair coloring did not Look good with red hair. I remember that Mac has dark brows and lashes, but her completion may look awful with red hair. Just my take on the matter. I am surprised that Mac looked good with brown hair. Most Blonds do not do well with dark hair. She is the exception rather than the rule! ;>):33:

[Cheryle]

All I am going to say is that I am brunette but some of the most beautiful women in my book are red heads Karen included and that is all I am going to say!

[Bella...]

I was born with blond hair, what most people would call {Cotton Top}... it was really too white to be blond. But by the time I was 8/9 years old it started getting darker and getting alot of red highlights through it. It remains that colour now {with some help from my hairstylist} lol! We do what We must!! :D AnyWhoo, my point being... I love the RED highlights!

My Dad always said the red in my hair came from his Irish Grandmother, and that made it even more special to me. Go Red Heads!!! :anim_headbang-vi:

BTW... Hello rednay & welcome!! I think I missed greeting you before this post...I'm sorry I'm late.

[claudia celestial girl]

My Dad always said the red in my hair came from his Irish Grandmother, and that made it even more special to me. Go Red Heads!!!

You go girl!

[CelticMorwen]

Hey, I get my auburn highlites from the Celtic grandmothers! One Irish one Scot. Sadly nowadays the highlights are more on the silver side.

I think MAC may have had a negative reaction to red hair because she was a bit of a prude at the onset and red hair tends to signal sensuality.


Morwen

[claudia celestial girl]

I think MAC may have had a negative reaction to red hair because she was a bit of a prude at the onset and red hair tends to signal sensuality.


Morwen
Oooh that's an interesting thought! On the old board I remember a thread about whether Mac was a virgin. Most people thought 'no' because of how she reacted to V'Lane. But I was thinking yes because she comes across as relatively reserved in the sensuality department. (And I think JB knows that about her). Could be her upbringing, could be the fact that she can generate a lot of attention whenever she wants, and she seems to not like to be the center of attention in a sensual way. I was wondering if the time she got caught by her mom and was saved by Alina was the closest she got to The Act!

Anyway - interesting thought!

[rednay]

Thanks for all the welcoming messages guys. I don't mean to sound so PC about the whole redhair thing, it is just something that pushes my buttons I guess. In many ways Mac seems naive and rather unsophisticated. I guess this redhead comment was just another way of KMM illustrating that aspect of her personality. Maybe as Mac grows in wisdom she will dye her hair red...maybe in FaeFever (hint, hint Ms. Moning).

[Tearra]

I always took it as Karen being self-deprecating. Just making fun of herself :smile:

[DeeS]

Yeah to redheads!
I don't have the true 'auburn' of my mother's side but I am the only redhead in my immediate family.
Redheads are known for a certain disposition .. perhaps this was the angle Mac was avoiding ...
redheads aren't known for 'having fun' ...

I married a redhead and my son's hair is such a lovely handsome shade that he is often the envy of many 'a woman :smile:

[Jill]

I thought it was a Southern thing because most women want to be blonde in the South, and I have heard many, many over the years say things in salons like:

"When you color my hair, make sure there is no red in it! "I want to get rid of the brassiness/reddish tint to my hair."

Seriously, no one ever wants red hair on purpose. I am the only woman in Birmingham, AL who wants to play-up the red in her hair!:wlaugh:

[Sky28]

Seriously, no one ever wants red hair on purpose. I am the only woman in Birmingham, AL who wants to play-up the red in her hair!:wlaugh:
Hey, honey. My name is "no one". I am using henna fire red for several years now.:wbiggrin:

[Jill]

Hey, honey. My name is "no one". I am using henna fire red for several years now.:wbiggrin:
I knew there was a reason I like you, Sabine! :wlaugh:

[VictoriaP]

I thought it was a Southern thing because most women want to be blonde in the South, and I have heard many, many over the years say things in salons like:

"When you color my hair, make sure there is no red in it! "I want to get rid of the brassiness/reddish tint to my hair."

Seriously, no one ever wants red hair on purpose. I am the only woman in Birmingham, AL who wants to play-up the red in her hair!:wlaugh:

:shocked:

Must be a Southern thing then, yes--though the Southern girl I know best is a natural redhead and proud of it! Red on the west coast is a common color to add in. I went from hair that was medium brown in most lights (but so much natural red in it that it looked like it was on fire when the sun would glow through it) to being a full time redhead more than 20 years ago, and I'd never ever go back.

But I've never interpreted that particular part of DF as being insulting to redheads. Then again, I'm not easily offended. LOL! :snick:

[redshe]

I never liked my red hair when I was a kid, but I grew to love it...:th_nod:

[Meli]

I would love to have red hair! but it would look all kinds of wrong on me...alas, I think I'm destined to be brunette forever...arg! darn the Italian genes overpowering the Irish ones!:arghhh:

[suann]

Just me 2 cents. I have been coloring my hair for years in various colors and I go out of my way to get a color that isn't too red. Why? - because it fades in the sun and the beautiful red that you had in the salon turns into this horrific orange that would not be flattering on even the most beautiful of people. Sad, but I think less people would fear the red if the hair color manufacturers came up with something that didn't turn safety orange after a couple of days at the beach.

[Lenamarie]

I, like some of the other ladies, believe it's just Karen poking fun at herself. I'm lucky enough to have an auburn hue that no one believes is natural. I love my hair colour and won't be using any dye until I start to grey.... well anymore than I have already started to...:shocked: