Attacks/abuse on red-headed family in Newcastle, UK

[Bertie Wooster]

BBC

Red-haired family forced to move

A Newcastle family claim they have been forced from two homes by thugs who have targeted them over their ginger hair.

Kevin and Barbara Chapman say they and their four children, aged between 10 and 13, have endured years of taunts, smashed windows and violence.

They said they moved from Walker to Newbiggin Hall to try to escape the bullying, and then again to Kenton Bar.

Son Kevin, 11, said he was recently punched in a street attack. Newcastle Council is "discussing the situation".

Mr Chapman, 49, said his 10-year-old daughter Ryelle and sons Daniel, 10, and Jordan, 13, have also been badly affected.

He said each time the family received abuse they moved home.


They've been punched and kicked and thrown over a hedge
Father Kevin Chapman

The family also say they have endured their homes being daubed in graffiti.

Mr Chapman said: "The abuse we get is unbelievable. It started more than three years ago, when the kids started getting bullied by lads over the colour of their hair.

"They've been punched and kicked and thrown over a hedge. Every time they go out these gangs get to them."

He added that the family now wanted to move again.

Community police officer Sergeant Colin Murray, of Northumbria Police, said there had been a number of incidents all of which had been fully investigated.

Commenting on the matter, a Newcastle City Council spokesman said: "We are currently discussing their situation."

Is there really bigotry against redheads in England or is this family being harassed and attacked for some other reason? I can understand how in the middle ages and the 16th century, there may have been hatred against Scottish-looking folks in England, but I've not heard of anything recent of a anti-redhead prejudice. The only bit of prejudice I've ever heard recently is some half-serious adage that you can't trust a redheaded girl, but I don't think anyone takes that seriously. There's redheaded people everywhere, but this is the first time I've ever heard of anything like this.

[CaptainChewbacca]

This looks like a job for...

THE REDHEADED LEAGUE!

[Kuja]

What the deuce?

[Spice Runner]

Why, it's elementary my dear Kuja. Chewie is referring to one of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries.

[Anguirus]

Wow, people really will fuck with each other over anything.

[El Moose Monstero]

There are numerous insults for ginger people that I recall, certainly it's the one hair colour that allows you to be insulted randomly. I remember friendly banter in my house revolving mainly around one housemate insulting the ginger housemate and him insulting him back.

Nevertheless, this sounds above and beyond anything I've ever read about, and probably is more to do with these gangs of kids looking for an easy target. I can't speak for Newbiggin or Kenton Bar, but Walker is a run-down rough area and I don't think I'd feel 100% safe wandering the streets there, never mind little kids. Certainly when I was working for Newcastle City Council, I was under strict orders not to have my council badge in plain sight when I was in Walker. Also it was the only area where we were supposed to have a partner with us for anything more than a quick visit.

[Rye]

Is there really bigotry against redheads in England or is this family being harassed and attacked for some other reason? I can understand how in the middle ages and the 16th century, there may have been hatred against Scottish-looking folks in England, but I've not heard of anything recent of a anti-redhead prejudice. The only bit of prejudice I've ever heard recently is some half-serious adage that you can't trust a redheaded girl, but I don't think anyone takes that seriously. There's redheaded people everywhere, but this is the first time I've ever heard of anything like this.

Ginger hair is one of those things that people generally pick on people for at school and in a joking manner whenever they're being immature later in life. I've never heard of stuff like this going down, though. Must just be a really shitty area full of chavs, and there's some really rough areas in Newcastle.

[Dartzap]

Th bizarre thing is that the majority of people who live in Newcastle are descended from Vikings. Most of who was ginger as well, so this is just quite frankly, utterly moronic.

Bloody Geordies.... They're getting as bad as the Brummies. Almost.

[Master Arachnos]

Newbiggin, Kenton bar and Walker are all dumps...

this family should plan the next move more carefully, and perhaps should think about moving a little farther away..

[Dartzap]

Newbiggin, Kenton bar and Walker are all dumps...

this family should plan the next move more carefully, and perhaps should think about moving a little farther away..

Having done work experience's in the local Housing department, I can say tell you that they probably had little or no control over where they were sent to live. That's the trouble with renting from the various housing associations - They may be full of good intentions, but they simply don't have enough properties to be giving people what they want.

[jegs2]

Is there really bigotry against redheads in England or is this family being harassed and attacked for some other reason?

Don't know about England, but I was picked on as a kid for having red hair. Have never heard of an entire family being bullied though.

[LadyTevar]

I grew up hearing "I'll beat (you) like a red-headed step-child" here in the Appalachians, so the idea of red-hair being 'wrong' in some way continues even in America.

[Teebs]

I've always had the impression that it's like having glasses, something you might get teased about at school, but not something that people target a family over.

[wolveraptor]

Not once in my life has anyone ever insulted anyone for for having red hair. I live in the Midwest, near Chicago, by the way. I've simply never heard of something like that.

[Napoleon the Clown]

I grew up hearing "I'll beat (you) like a red-headed step-child" here in the Appalachians, so the idea of red-hair being 'wrong' in some way continues even in America.

I think the "red-headed step child" thing is a movie reference, but I'm not sure. I've heard it myself, though it has never been serious.


Picked on just for red hair? I'm kind of suspicious of this. Unless they live in the equivalent of the American South, I can't imagine that red heads are rare enough to illicit reactions like those described from adults. Then again, people are inately xenophobic pricks, so not really a line between going too far and playful teasing...