It is said that gingers only hold less than 2% of the world's population. We are a rare breed, my friends, and I don’t say that lightly. Redheads are often thought of as their own population, their own race, or own species. Growing up it was hard to be a ginger, especially with some of the embarrassing videos some made, making us gingers look even weirder. But the truth is, we’re awesome. Gingers rule, and although it took me about 18 years to completely agree with this, I am happy to be one. I asked 4 of my gingy friends for some pros and cons they have found throughout their life, and I couldn’t have asked for better responses.

Of the fellow gingers I asked, all of them stated more than one pro. This made me so happy, hearing all these different ginger’s reasons as to why it is so great to be a redhead.

McKenna from James Madison University stated that everyone compliments her red hair, it is easy to pick her out from a crowd, it adds an aspect of uniqueness, and it makes her feel like she is her own person. From experience, I do get compliments weekly for my hair. In response: “Thanks I grew it myself,” with some sass intended, I do appreciate the compliment, but you gotta keep it interesting, right?

Two cons people stated were, you are bullied as a kid for being a ginger, and being kicked on "kick a ginger day" actually happens. These cons are hard to ignore, but in reality, everyone is made fun of in some form and at some point. Growing up, I was made fun of for my light eyebrows, which is another con of being a ginger. Many of us are so pale we look like vampires, and our eyebrows are sometimes invisible. But hey, it is said we have immunity to some cancers and produce more vitamin D so, you win some and lose some, right?

Another con, that I found to be the funniest, was said by my dear friend Liddy, stating, “we are a different species.” People come up to us and say, “Oh, you’re a ginger!” Really? I wasn’t aware… thank you for your impeccable ability to notice vibrant colors. We are a different species in a way though, and the only way I can say this is because, you really don’t know what it is like to be a ginger unless you truly are one. Being a ginger means being beyond pale, having freckles… everywhere… getting sunburn even in the winter, over blushing, light eyebrows, and the sensitivity to pain.

As many cons as there are, number one definitely being the sunburns, I have learned to accept the faults of my gingy life, and I can honestly say I am proud to be a ginger. So to all my fellow gingy friends, what are your favorite things about being a redhead, and some of your least favorite? Do you love it or hate it? And, would you marry a ginger, in attempt to keep us around and potentially grow our species?