What comes to your mind when you hear the word Ginger? Do you think of a hot fragrant spice made from the rhizome of a plant or do you imagine the pale pink lump on the side of your sushi plate? Can you feel the temperature in your mouth increase as you dare taste the fleshy plant? You may imagine the ever-famous Bath and Body tangy scent, "Orange Ginger" with mention of the word.
I could narrate an immense list of uses for the plant but I already know that none of those images I listed above would have come to mind first without my mention. In an aged decade it is very possible that the term would be used in the right context, but not in our society today. The term has taken on a new definition. The "ginger" epidemic started for me as I transformed into my teenage years shortly after a soul fifty minute episode of the popular show "South Park" was aired.
"Cartman: My speech is entitled "Ginger Kids". Children with red hair, light skin, and freckles. We've all seen them. On the playground, at the store, walking on the streets. They creep us out, and make us sick to our stomachs. I'm talking, of course, about Ginger kids."
Teenagers world wide never looked at redheads quite the same after this episode. I was a natural heir to the recessive gene after my mom. The gene forced many summers of friendship for Aloe Vera and I. The impossible games of "count Kristen's freckles" never seemed to get old for my peers. I hated my fair skin and spent countless hours trying to think of how to become a bronzed goddess, when it dawned on me. I had much more fun swimming in the pool than trying to achieve something I knew was out of my reach. It took me a while to finally accept the fact that whether I liked it or not, I was a full-blown natural Ginger. The stereotype never quite went away, but it grew to be a part of me. People remembered me as "the ginger" while my friends were stuck in the blonde and brunette stereotype. My unique quality turned from an enemy to a characteristic I embrace and love to this day. It is much more fun jumping in the pool in order to embrace your unique quality, rather than dancing round the edge hoping it will one day change.
I really like the sense imagery you immediately come out with here to provide the contrast to your intended point about redheads as opposed to spice. Believe it or not, the first thing that comes to mind when I hear or read the word "ginger" is, indeed, the root and the spice derived thereof. I think the ginger (redhead) stereotype is kind of ridiculous and based on nothing more than stupidity and the kind of humor I find is not worth my time, though I have had redheaded friends who have made 100% more ginger jokes about themselves than I or my other friends ever have about them.
ReplyDeleteI like the metaphor of the pool that you use and the way you connect the metaphor with your actual experience of tanning. I also enjoy the way you come to terms with your "gingerness" and do embrace that unique quality, though my one complaint is that "soul" in the second paragraph should probably be "sole" unless those fifty minutes truly affected your spirit. ^.^
One of my self-imposed writing rules is to never begin a story with a question. Of course, rules — especially writing rules — are meant to be broken. The first paragraph of your essay lays the groundwork for the essay's main message, which begins with the South Park quote (a good addition to the essay, in my book) and the following paragraph about how that episode changed your life.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think the insertion of the South Park quote messes with the essay's flow a bit. I bet one or two more sentences playing off the South Park quote before diving into the bit about the recessive gene would be helpful.
There is a definite "be happy in your own skin" teaching moment in this essay, which is what I love most about it. This was a really enjoyable read. Nice first post!
By far my favorite part of this is following line: "I was a natural heir to the recessive gene after my mom.". The word "heir" is what made it work for me - not only does it have a positive connotation, but it also has a royal feel to it. It's the most baller way possible for you to proclaim that you are comfortable in your own skin.
ReplyDeleteWhile the placement of the South Park quote does disrupt the flow of your writing, it does provide a nice laugh for the reader. Good work!
I like your emulation of Montaigne and your writing is smooth. Though the sentences don't necessarily sound like Montaigne, you took your cue from his ability to write about a small topic thoroughly. Gingerhood is certainly worthy, and you have fun with lines about aloe vera and the metaphor of the pool.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see you doing more with the "stereotype" since many of us didn't know what it was. Also, when you embrace your gingerhood at the end, it might be just a tiny, tiny bit cheesy as a moral. We'd all agree with the "be happy in your own skin" thing. How can you make it a bit more complex at the end?
Funny stuff!