About Me
Ginger Ailing is a collection of “redhead” discoveries as made by me, the author, a natural redhead living in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Towards the end of the 20th century, scientists identified the genes responsible for red hair. As a redhead, I know that I have two copies of a recessive gene on one of my 23 chromosomes — chromosome 16, to be precise. This, in turn, causes a mutation in what’s known as the MC1R protein. Basically, I’m a redhead because both my parents passed on the gene, which skips generations, responsible for affecting the protein in the human body that indicates a person’s hair colour, skin type and sensitivity to ultraviolet light. In short, I’m a mutant. And if you’re a natural redhead reading this, you are, too.
I like writing and talking to, with and about redheads. I think there are many people, redheads themselves even, who are misinformed when it comes to the origin of red hair and the characteristics that accompany it, biologically and culturally speaking. “Gingers” have been given an interesting cultural rap and I’m surprised there isn’t a stronger sense of tribalism among redheads. So much is assumed about us. I think a blog is the perfect place to start exploring the “ginger” brand and the role redheads in the world.
Contact
If you have a ginger-related discovery, fun fact or story of your own that you would like to share with me, you can contact me here. Keep in mind, I’m not an expert, just someone who thinks redheads are pretty cool.