10/15/2019
3-Year-Old Boy Called “Ginger & Ugly’ By Bullies Has Heartbreaking Reaction
Share
Tweet
Pin It
Stumble
A major problem that society is just starting to address is the issue of bullying. It’s a practice that has gone on since the beginning of humankind; however, in this day and age, it seems to have gotten worse with the introduction of social media. Although many people believe that it’s mainly a problem for little children and teens at school, the truth is that it is a common problem for folks of all ages. People can be bullied in the workplace or even at home. From time to time, however, we hear about a story that really drives home the seriousness of the situation.
This story is about a three-year-old boy who one day asked his mom about his ‘horrible’ hair. It turns out that the child had been bullied for being a redhead, and his response to the situation has since gone viral. It was shared by his mom, Lauren Russell, after she witnessed Noah Gilbert, her son, being picked on over the color of his hair. This 28-year-old mother from Southhampton got on a bus with her son, and soon teenagers started making fun of the little boy’s ginger hair. The teen said such things as “I would hate my child to be ginger, I would kill it.” and “all kids with ginger hair should go straight to social services.”
Although Noah was only three years old, he understood what they were saying and became upset about it later.
He wondered why he couldn’t be blonde like his brother, Charlie. But, when he asked his brother why he had such horrible hair, his brother told him that his hair wasn’t horrible but rather beautiful!
The mother was so upset over what happened that she posted the story on social media in outrage. She wrote:
‘He hasn’t stopped asking me why people don’t like his hair. He asked me if I could change it for him so people will like it. I can feel my heart breaking every time he asks me.
It isn’t okay to bully somebody for their hair colour, not now. Not ever.’
Support from others, as well as pictures of redhaired children, have filled the comments of her post, and it has been liked over 18,000 times. Some even say that he looks a lot like Ed Shearin, Damien Lewis, or Prince Harry.
His mom said:
‘This has had such an effect on Noah, it’s just unfair. I have naturally ginger hair too and I remember being bullied growing up, but not as young as three.’ Noah is now really aware of his hair colour and thinks it’s horrible.
He doesn’t understand why he isn’t blond like his siblings. I couldn’t believe these spiteful teenagers could upset my son like that.’
She added:
‘Since sharing what happened on Facebook, I’ve had hundreds of people messaging me from the UK, all showing support and saying how gorgeous Noah is. When I read all the nice comments to him, his face was priceless.
‘I hope he’ll be able to forget the nasty remarks now, but I still want an apology from the teenage boy. I’ve already contacted the high school he goes to so that he can say sorry to Noah in person.’
This mom has Noah as well as Charlie, who is five years old. She’s also the mother of 7-month-old twins, Zachary and Jacob. All her children are fair headed.
Noah says that his hair is ‘orange’, but he had never felt upset about it before.
Here’s Lauren’s powerful and heartbreaking post in its entirety:
“Today my heart broke in two.
Whilst travelling on a public bus number 12 I witnessed such cruel behaviour towards my 3 year old son from a very narrow minded boy who couldn’t be much older than 13. Unfortunately this hasn’t been the first time and I know it won’t be the last.
He’s been targeted by people of all ages.”
And what for? Because he has ginger hair. My beautiful boy was told social services should have taken him away because his hair colour is disgusting.
The boy then turned to his friend and said if he ever had a ginger child he would kill it.
Now my little boy is only 3 and was left very confused. I feel devastated as I too have ginger hair and [know] all too well what it’s like to grow up being singled out/ the target of such bullies.
He hasn’t stopped asking me why people don’t like his hair.
He asked me if I could change it for him so people will like it. He asked me if he could be like his brother who doesn’t have ginger hair.
I can feel my heart breaking every time he asks me.
My little boy looks so sad and I want to make it better. The reason I am trying to go public with this is because I know these cruel bullies are in the minority.
I want to show my little boy that there is more good in this world than bad.
There are kind and caring non judgmental people who won’t ever single him out. I ask you all to please share this and show my boy how beautiful he is.
I want to show him the good in this world with the power of Facebook.
It isn’t okay to bully somebody for their hair colour, not now. Not ever. Thank you.”
We also believe that every child is beautiful in their own special way. If you agree, please share this story with your family and friends and take a stand against bullying.
