A three-year-old boy with red hair got on a bus with his mum, and got teased.
Without Shameful Things Happening On Public Transport, those of us who work online would have to pack up our laptops and go home.
Manspreading, idiotically racist outbursts, inappropriate touching, misplaced pregnancy congratulations, Loud Talkers… the status updates go on. And on.
But today’s missive from the frontline of Terrible Bus Tales will bring a tiny tear to your eye.
Because it’s about Noah, a three-year-old boy with red hair who got on a bus with his mum, and got teased.
Lauren Russell, from Southampton in the UK, posted about what happened:
“Today my heart broke in two. Whilst travelling on a public bus number 12 I witnessed such cruel behaviour towards my three 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 to have ginger hair and no 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 judgemental 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. Thankyou xxx’
Lauren’s post has been shared more than 105,000 times, and as a result, she has become an instant pin-up for redhead rights.
It’s hard to believe that in 2015, when all of the world’s variety is within a finger-swipe, the sight of a flame-haired kid can still illicit a reaction from a bullying fool.
Behold the Ginger Pride march:
Top Comments
Having red hair toughens you up for whatever life decides to throw at you, it will hone your tongue so no matter what they say to us we can cut them down to the insignificant cretins that they are! We learn from an early age to roll with the punches and develop a skin tougher than a rhino! We can also feel more compassion for our fellow humans, and know how to see real beauty! I am a red head, proud and strong, bring it on!
WTF. The hottest man ever ever ever is a ginger....!!
Yeah, Prince Harry, you do you. Sexy.