Red-headed family forced to move after 'ginger' hate campaign

 

By PAUL SIMS - More by this author » Last updated at 20:30pm on 1st June 2007 Comments (17)

A family are being forced out of their home by a gang of thugs because of their red hair.

Kevin and Barbara Chapman say they and their four young children have already moved twice to avoid the taunts but at each address have been subjected to attacks.

Their windows have been smashed, the walls daubed with graffiti and their children physically assaulted in the street by other youths.

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Daniel, Ryelle and Kevin Chapman: They say they dare not go to the shops because their tormentors steal whatever they buy

 

 

In the latest incident the family returned to their third home in Newcastle upon Tyne to find the words "ginger is gay" painted on the outside of the property.

Even as the family, all of whom have red hair, discussed a move with social workers, their windows were smashed.

They are now waiting for the city council to find them yet another home.

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Kevin and Barbara Chapman, pictured here with children Daniel and Ryelle, have been driven from their home

 

 

"It started more than three years ago, when the kids started getting bullied by lads over the colour of their hair," said 49-year-old Mr Chapman.

"They've been punched and kicked and thrown over a hedge. Every time they go out these gangs get to them.

"We can't even go to the local shops which are only two minutes away. The kids get all their stuff taken off them.

"Having ginger hair, you expect people to have a bit of fun, but this is just unbelievable." Scroll down for more...

Graffiti scrawled on the Chapmans' front door

 

 

Mr Chapman reported the incidents to police but the abuse has become so bad that one son, Kevin Jnr, 11, is now being taught at home.

Mr Chapman says the boy has even tried to commit suicide. "Kevin's never even seen life yet and he's been driven to this," said the unemployed father.

"Some of the bullying is about branded trainers and clothes. I buy them what I can but truthfully the kids don't mind whether they have something with a name on."

The Chapmans, who have a ten-year-old daughter Ryelle, and sons Daniel, ten, and Jordon, 13, first moved from Walker to Newbiggin Hall to escape the prejudice.

They were forced to move again a year ago to Kenton Bar. Within weeks they were once again subjected to abuse.

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Daniel, nine (back), Ryelle, 10 (right), and Kevin, 11

 

 

"There seem to be around ten or 12 families who have relations in the different areas we have been," said Mr Chapman. "Word seems to get around and it starts again."

The children have changed schools three times in the last two years. "Every time we make new friends we end up getting bullied whenever we leave the house," said Ryelle.

Mrs Chapman, 44, said: "Wherever they go they get called "ginger nut, ginger bastard, ginger c***", it's disgusting."

A Newcastle City Council spokesman said: "We will do all we can to help the family."

Pathetic. At the end of the day it is akin to racism but will anything be done about it? Of course not. We just have to fight the bigots and narrow minded individuals who still inexplicably inhabit this great country of ours.

Pathetic. At the end of the day it is akin to racism but will anything be done about it? Of course not. We just have to fight the bigots and narrow minded individuals who still inexplicably inhabit this great country of ours.

 

:stunned:

but it is discrimnation thats for sure.

 

and i've never heard of any ginger being bullied over here.

What's strange is that one of my best friends lives on that very estate and is, guess what, ginger! Not just ginger as well, very ginger.

 

He's never even had a word about it.

 

I've gone to school on that estate as well. Twice somewhere I am connected to has been in the news on this forum (the other was a robber who broke into my local school (where my football team play) and dived head first through a glass door).

 

To be honest though, I think they're incredibly unlucky. To move 3 times across different parts of Newcastle and have the same level of abuse. I've lived in this city all my life and never came across any discrimination because of hair colour here, and I spend my weekdays surrounded by the high school kids that will be blamed for discrimination.

 

I'm not excusing it, I just don't want anyone thinking that my hometown has a problem with this, cause I've not seen anything like it in 7 years in high school.

How rediculous!!:rolleyes:

That's really focking pathetic!!! I'm gonna go dye my hair red now. See if anyone wants to give me beef.... Oh I'll bring the BEEF!

That's really focking pathetic!!! I'm gonna go dye my hair red now. See if anyone wants to give me beef.... Oh I'll bring the BEEF!

 

And maybe some ginger ale to wash it down?:rolleyes:

lmao

 

U DA MAN!!!

lmao

 

U DA MAN!!!

 

Gingerbread Man??:rolleyes:

Didn't this ginger-hating business originate in an episode of South Park? I can't believe people can be so fucking useless and evil. I LOVE red hair,lol.

Didn't this ginger-hating business originate in an episode of South Park? I can't believe people can be so fucking useless and evil. I LOVE red hair,lol.

 

So do you have a Shaggy fixation?:P

Freaky stuff.

 

I wonder how those jerks would react if they realised just how much how many people pay to get their hair dyed that colour.

 

Red hair is the best. Pity it skipped my generation.

HURT DAVE SEEING RED

 

By James Nursey 29/10/2005

 

READING'S flame-haired striker Dave Kitson wants officials to clamp down on rival fans who taunt him about his ginger locks.

Kitson, 25, insists the jibes should be treated as racist abuse and says they are making his life hell.

And despite the Royals being second in the Championship after a club record 17-match unbeaten run, Kitson is disillusioned.

"It amazes me how nobody has addressed it before," said the striker, a £150,000 signing from Cambridge in December 2003.

"You put on a brave face but sometimes you come off the pitch feeling so empty when you have lost and you take a lot of stick.

"Just because I am a footballer doesn't mean someone can call me a ginger whatever. I am a sensitive guy, maybe over sensitive, but abuse doesn't just roll off my back.

"Part of the English mentality is people pay their money and like to come in and shout what they want for a release, but it is not acceptable."

Kitson's heartfelt plea to opposition fans is likely to fall on deaf ears, however, and PFA boss Gordon Taylor has told him to toughen up.

Taylor said: "It belittles racism to compare the two issues. It is just an opportunity for someone to have a go in same way as if you are bald or fat.

"Dave should be proud of his hair. It makes him stand out if he is having a good game and he could always dye it if he wants."

this is so pathetic...

That sucks! Poor kids!Bah i think redheads are great,since im not one i dye my hair red sometimes :P

Didn't this ginger-hating business originate in an episode of South Park? I can't believe people can be so fucking useless and evil. I LOVE red hair,lol.

 

No, It's been around here forever, well I've experienced it since I started school all those years ago.

 

It's an odd insult to be honest.

 

It doesn't bother me though - the only thing is I find it hard to tolerate stupid people and folk who shout "ginger" abuse are obviously pretty empty in the head.

i'm not saying anything about redheads :lipsrsealed2: :laugh3: :laugh3:

I recommend the ginger survival guide. Yes it is a real book and I got it for Christmas. Really good read: humorous and interesting but also boosts self-confidence I reckon. Celt and proud...ginger forever.

How do you make a ginger snap?:thinking:

How do you make a ginger snap?:thinking:

 

Excellent question but I've got a better one. How do you a make a ginger crackle? :rolleyes::o

Excellent question but I've got a better one. How do you a make a ginger crackle? :rolleyes::o

 

I asked first!:P