'I've been kicked a couple of times today, but I kicked them right back'
Kick a Ginger Day
Posted By TONY RICCIUTO , REVIEW STAFF WRITER
Updated 2 months ago
They represent a small part of the population, but kids with red hair had to be on guard Friday - it was "National Kick a Ginger Day."
Most parents have never heard of it. But ask a teenager and chances are they know all about the episode from the satirical cartoon South Park, where one of the characters delivers a class presentation that targets red-haired people.
The episode resulted in the formation of a Facebook group that urged close to 5,000 members from across Canada and around the world to "kick a ginger" on Nov. 20.
One Niagara Falls woman called The Review on Friday to say she was keeping her kids at home because they have red hair and she feared they might be kicked or beaten up.
"It's on Facebook and all the kids are texting it," said the exasperated mother of three high school-aged students. "So these poor kids are going to get beat up over this.
"What's a parent supposed to do?"
Niagara Regional Police Staff Sgt. Shawn Clarkson said he had not heard of any problems Friday, but police were aware of the situation.
Jesse Koteles, 16, a Grade 11 student from Stamford Collegiate, is proud of his red hair and is prepared to defend it.
"I've been kicked a couple of times from some buddies today, but I kicked them right back," Koteles said yesterday.
A member of the school's
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* Originating from an episode on the South Park TV show, it invites people to kick redheads every Nov. 20;
* Niagara school boards advised their staff to be on the lookout for incidents yesterday;
* police were also aware but said no complaints had been filed.
wrestling team, he wasn't so concerned for himself but was keeping a close eye on his younger cousin, Kyle Watchorn, who also has red hair and is in Grade 9.
"I told him to call me if something happens, and I'll deal with it," said Koteles, who wore a pair of construction boots to school and a sweatshirt with the words "angry ginger" written on the back of it.
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Koteles, who said red hair runs in his family, said he thought the South Park episode was funny, but didn't think it would actually come true. He bought a clip of it off iTunes and has it stored on his iPhone.
"Everyone has been talking about it. I know it's just a joke, but I can see where some people might take it too far," he said.
Not everyone takes it as a joke, though.
Last year on Nov. 20, a Grade 10 student in Calgary was attacked in the locker room after gym class. Thirteen students were later suspended and two 15-year-old boys were charged with assault. In May this year, the two pled guilty in youth court and were handed absolute discharges.
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Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B7 Kamrin Bradshaw, a Grade 12 student at Stamford Collegiate, found out about the infamous day from friends back in September.
"I've been kicked in the leg by some friends, and I've kicked them right back. Basically, it's just fun and something to do. I'm not too worried about it," said Bradshaw.
Grade 11 student Kevin McCraw said he's good friends with most of the red-heads -or gingers -at the school and would never kick them. He has never seen the South Park episode, but has heard about it.
Yesterday, student Brent Crosbie discovered if you give, you will receive.
He kicked one of his red-haired friends but ended up being chased and was kicked back.
District School Board of Niagara spokesman Brett Sweeney said it's unfortunate that it happens Nov. 20, which is officially International Children's Day.
Sweeney said they are aware of 'kick a ginger day' and did send a message to principals advising them to keep a careful eye on the situation.
"Some principals have made announcements letting students know there will be consequences for anyone taking part," said Sweeney, noting schools have a code of conduct students are expected to follow.
"Things like this have the potential to escalate and you never know what can happen."
Niagara Catholic District School Board education director John Crocco said it's disturbing to know a day would be set aside for something like that.
Especially, he added, when schools are trying hard to get across the message about anti-bullying.
"Students are part of a family and each one of them has the right to walk to any part of the school and feel safe at all times," said Crocco.
If any student is treated unfairly, he said, there will be consequences.
"Our administrators take these things very seriously," said Crocco.
tricciuto@nfreview.com
