Dear Archie,
This week, your father shared a big, fat ‘stop it I don’t like it’ on Instagram to anyone who thinks it’s okay to bully someone for being even a little bit different.
It received attention all over Australia, with thousands of people expressing their unwavering support – all for you.
But I know that doesn’t mean much to you at the moment. Because today, all that matters is there are people at school who, for a reason you don’t understand, have an issue with the colour of your hair.
Top Comments
Yes, bullying is bad, yes name calling is awful, but "ranga" isn't a dirty word? 'Ranga' is short for Orangutan. No, it is not okay to call people 'monkeys'. Do you remember Adam Goodes calling people out for that? And he should. He he a hero for standing up to bullies. Once we normalise calling white people monkeys, it's a slippery slope to opening up the doort to revisiting a few hundred years of colonial oppression to keep people of colour down and oppressed. So red heads calling other red heads 'ranga' may be okay, but let's not normalise something that this kid's white privileged will protect him from. And aren't we as women in the middle of a struggle against normalising bullying behaviour? No, little girl, he didn't hit you because he likes you, and no, little boy, those kids calling you a monkey is not ok.
I appreciate the letter. Its lovely and hopefully shows Archie that there's a more positive reaction to redheads out there; outside of the small minded bullies. The only part I don't like is the implication that 'ranga' could ever be considered a term of endearment. Even if you're happy to call yourself that, and you're happy for your friends to call you that, I think that we should make a united stand and turn it into a 'bad word'; no different to any other derogatory term that is considered offensive amongst any other group of people. I dont think its OK to call anyone an orangutan, and its especially awful to hear adults call children that directly, as though its a cute nickname. I think its disgusting. I hope Archie is happier soon and recognises the support out there for him.