Gingervitis

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 feel sick to our stomachs. I'm talking of course about... ginger kids.  This disease is called Gingervitus, and it occurs because ginger kids have no souls. (“Script from “Ginger Kids””)

This was part of a presentation from the character Cartman on the show “South Park.” This show has sparked major controversy because of the increase in bullying against ginger kids. A 14 year old that resides in Vancouver, Canada made the group “kick a ginger day” after the south park episode. After 5000 people joined, the fan page was taken down. (“RCMP”) However, this did not stop the violence across the country. All across the country, kids were suspended due to bullying ginger kids. Halton School suspended 25 kids because of the attack. This list of kids includes from on-lookers to ring leaders. (Citytv) There has also been a significant increase in cyber bullying as well to ginger kids.

The controversy becomes placing who is at fault for these attacks. The kid who started the fan page apologized and claimed it was only a joke. Many kids claim that peer pressure was to blame. That since everyone else was doing it that it would be fun. Many parents claim that South Park is to blame. South Park is a comedy on Comedy Central. It is not a show to be taken seriously. Therefore, the problem is parents not teaching their children how to handle a show such as South Park. If a kid does not know the possible consequences for emotionally or physically harming another kid, then there is a serious flaw in the education or disciplinary system. There are dozens of pictures like the one shown below on the internet. Bullying gingers is becoming an increasing problem not only in the United States but the UK as well. The only way to rid the unrelenting prejudice is to increase disciplinary action in schools and have parents teach their kids about the consequences of their actions.  

Citytv. Web. 01 Oct. 2010. <http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/64074--25-students-suspended-after-kick-a-ginger-day-at-halton-school>.

"RCMP Investigating Facebook Group over 'Kick a Ginger' Day." Canada.com – Breaking News‚ Canada‚ World‚ Weather‚ Travel‚ Video & More. Web. 01 Oct. 2010. <http://www.canada.com/topics/news/story.html?id=49022ee5-66d1-46e0-a057-7707de6e140b>.

"Script from "ginger Kids"" Southparkstuff.com. Web. <http://www.southparkstuff.com/season_9/episode_911/epi911script/>.