Ginger Kids
Encyclopedia
"Ginger Kids" is the 136th episode (Season 9, episode 11) of Comedy Central's series South Park
. It originally aired on November 9, 2005. The episode caused a controversy after its ironic premise was misunderstood by people who acted violently against gingers.
delivers something that could be considered a hate speech
, arguing that "Gingers"—people with red hair
, freckle
s, and pale skin—are disgusting, inhuman, unable to survive in sunlight, and have no souls; all because of a condition called "Gingervitis". When Kyle
points out that he too has red hair, Cartman says that there is a second class of redheads, the "daywalkers", who have red hair but not pale skin and freckles, and concludes that "If you think that the Ginger problem is not a serious one, think again!" while he clicks through a clip, and stops on a picture of Carrot Top
.
In Kyle's attempt to prove Cartman wrong, he decides to do a presentation countering Cartman's, arguing that being a "ginger kid" is an inheritable trait. To prove this, Kyle and Stan
visit a family who have "Gingers" for children. To their shock, the parents of the Ginger kids, who each carry a recessive gene that has caused them to have Ginger kids, possess the same prejudice towards Ginger kids as Cartman. The father of the Ginger kids informs Kyle that marrying an Asian woman ensures that the recessive gene is not passed down, and mentions a friend who is marrying an Asian woman for that reason, a reference to series creator Trey Parker
. When Kyle makes his presentation, Cartman stands up for his claims and uses Biblical references, alleging that Judas
was a Ginger. As a result, Cartman's speech causes a new-found prejudice towards Ginger kids in the school. Now all Ginger kids are treated as outcasts and forced to eat in the hallway rather than the cafeteria. The other three members of the gang agree that they really need to teach Cartman a lesson.
At night, Kenny
, Kyle and Stan sneak into Cartman's room and use skin bleach to make his skin pale, dye his hair red and put Henna
tattoos of freckles on his face (but first they make sure he is unconscious, which Kyle makes sure of by whacking him with a small club more times than needed, due to his abject hatred of Cartman). Cartman wakes up in the morning to discover that he now has the disease 'gingervitis' and has become a Ginger himself. The boys' lesson goes off with flying colors. Cartman is taken to the doctor, who turns out to be prejudiced himself and soon insults him, even suggesting that Mrs. Cartman have him put down
, which she considers. At school, Cartman is laughed at by Butters
, is discriminated against by the very people he himself inspired to despise Gingers, and is forced to join them in eating in the hallway despite his attempts to convince them that he is still who he was. In response to this, Cartman establishes a movement—the Ginger Separatist Revolution—to promote the better aspects of being ginger.
Initially peaceful, Cartman's movement quickly becomes violent and Nazi-esque in tone, arguing that Gingers are a "great race," though when he tries to name a successful "ginger," the GSR are forced to simply declare themselves as being like "Ron Howard
… and others." He and his organization start holding protests, including beating up a brunette who played Annie
, for playing a redhead but not actually being one. Eventually, Cartman, using the sentiment that "The only way to fight hate … is with MORE hate!" convinces the Ginger kids to decide to kill all the town's non-gingers.
In the dead of night Stan, Kyle, and Kenny decide to sneak into Cartman's room and change him back to his original appearance. However, on their way over, Ginger kids start to creep out of seemingly nowhere and follow them. At first, though terrified, the boys try to ignore them. Kenny is suddenly snatched away, prompting Kyle and Stan to break into a run. Meanwhile, kids across the town are abducted from their homes by the Ginger kids. Eventually, Stan and Kyle are the only ones left. They lock themselves in a barn for protection but the Ginger kids break in and overwhelm the two boys.
All the non-gingers are taken to the Sunset Room at the Airport Hilton Hotel, complete with a lava pit and refreshment buffet. They are all imprisoned in cages and will be chosen for sacrifice one by one.
"Daywalker" Kyle is chosen as the first; by Cartman's twisted logic, a "half-ginger" is much worse than one with no such trait. However, he asks that before he dies, he say something private to Cartman. Kyle whispers in Cartman's ear that he is not in fact a "ginger". Now thinking only of self-preservation, he realizes that if his own cult were to learn of his true physical identity he too would die with every other non-"ginger kid" of the town. Cartman pretends to have had an epiphany that everyone should live in harmony and peace since Kyle's speech. As the non-gingers are freed, Kyle mutters to Cartman that he is a "manipulative asshole" to which Cartman (for once) agrees but does not care as long as his own life is safe.
South Park
South Park is an American animated television series created by Trey Parker and Matt Stone for the Comedy Central television network. Intended for mature audiences, the show has become famous for its crude language, surreal, satirical, and dark humor that lampoons a wide range of topics...
. It originally aired on November 9, 2005. The episode caused a controversy after its ironic premise was misunderstood by people who acted violently against gingers.
Plot
In a class presentation, CartmanEric Cartman
Eric Theodore Cartman is a fictional character in the American animated television series South Park. One of four main characters, along with Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, and Kenny McCormick, he is generally referred to within the series by his last name...
delivers something that could be considered a hate speech
Hate speech
Hate speech is, outside the law, any communication that disparages a person or a group on the basis of some characteristic such as race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, or other characteristic....
, arguing that "Gingers"—people with red hair
Red hair
Red hair occurs on approximately 1–2% of the human population. It occurs more frequently in people of northern or western European ancestry, and less frequently in other populations...
, freckle
Freckle
For other uses of the word, see Freckles .Freckles are clusters of concentrated melanin which are most often visible on people with a fair complexion. A freckle is also called an "ephelis". Freckles do not have an increased number of melanin producing cells...
s, and pale skin—are disgusting, inhuman, unable to survive in sunlight, and have no souls; all because of a condition called "Gingervitis". When Kyle
Kyle Broflovski
Kyle Broflovski is a fictional character in the animated television series South Park. He is voiced by co-creator Matt Stone. Kyle is one of the show's four central characters, along with his friends Stan Marsh, Kenny McCormick, and Eric Cartman...
points out that he too has red hair, Cartman says that there is a second class of redheads, the "daywalkers", who have red hair but not pale skin and freckles, and concludes that "If you think that the Ginger problem is not a serious one, think again!" while he clicks through a clip, and stops on a picture of Carrot Top
Carrot Top
Scott Thompson , better known by his stage name Carrot Top, is an American comedian known for his bright red hair, prop comedy, and self-deprecating humor.-Early years:...
.
In Kyle's attempt to prove Cartman wrong, he decides to do a presentation countering Cartman's, arguing that being a "ginger kid" is an inheritable trait. To prove this, Kyle and Stan
Stan Marsh
Stanley Randall "Stan" Marsh is a fictional character in the animated television series South Park. He is voiced by and loosely based on series co-creator Trey Parker. Stan is one of the show's four central characters, along with his friends Kyle Broflovski, Kenny McCormick, and Eric Cartman...
visit a family who have "Gingers" for children. To their shock, the parents of the Ginger kids, who each carry a recessive gene that has caused them to have Ginger kids, possess the same prejudice towards Ginger kids as Cartman. The father of the Ginger kids informs Kyle that marrying an Asian woman ensures that the recessive gene is not passed down, and mentions a friend who is marrying an Asian woman for that reason, a reference to series creator Trey Parker
Trey Parker
Trey Parker is an American animator, screenwriter, director, producer, voice artist, musician and actor, best known for being the co-creator of the television series South Park along with his creative partner and best friend Matt Stone.Parker started his film career in 1992, making a holiday short...
. When Kyle makes his presentation, Cartman stands up for his claims and uses Biblical references, alleging that Judas
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is best known for his betrayal of Jesus to the hands of the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver.-Etymology:...
was a Ginger. As a result, Cartman's speech causes a new-found prejudice towards Ginger kids in the school. Now all Ginger kids are treated as outcasts and forced to eat in the hallway rather than the cafeteria. The other three members of the gang agree that they really need to teach Cartman a lesson.
At night, Kenny
Kenny McCormick
Kenneth "Kenny" McCormick is a fictional character in the animated television series South Park. He is one of the four central characters along with his friends Stan Marsh, Kyle Broflovski, and Eric Cartman. His oft-muffled and indiscernible speech—the result of his parka hood covering his...
, Kyle and Stan sneak into Cartman's room and use skin bleach to make his skin pale, dye his hair red and put Henna
Henna
Henna is a flowering plant used since antiquity to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather and wool. The name is also used for dye preparations derived from the plant, and for the art of temporary tattooing based on those dyes...
tattoos of freckles on his face (but first they make sure he is unconscious, which Kyle makes sure of by whacking him with a small club more times than needed, due to his abject hatred of Cartman). Cartman wakes up in the morning to discover that he now has the disease 'gingervitis' and has become a Ginger himself. The boys' lesson goes off with flying colors. Cartman is taken to the doctor, who turns out to be prejudiced himself and soon insults him, even suggesting that Mrs. Cartman have him put down
Euthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
, which she considers. At school, Cartman is laughed at by Butters
Butters Stotch
Leopold "Butters" Stotch is a fictional character in the animated television series South Park. He is voiced by series co-creator Matt Stone and loosely based on co-producer Eric Stough. He is a fourth-grade student who commonly has extraordinary experiences not typical of conventional small-town...
, is discriminated against by the very people he himself inspired to despise Gingers, and is forced to join them in eating in the hallway despite his attempts to convince them that he is still who he was. In response to this, Cartman establishes a movement—the Ginger Separatist Revolution—to promote the better aspects of being ginger.
Initially peaceful, Cartman's movement quickly becomes violent and Nazi-esque in tone, arguing that Gingers are a "great race," though when he tries to name a successful "ginger," the GSR are forced to simply declare themselves as being like "Ron Howard
Ron Howard
Ronald William "Ron" Howard is an American actor, director, and producer. He came to prominence as a child actor, playing Opie Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show for eight years, and later the teenaged Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days for six years...
… and others." He and his organization start holding protests, including beating up a brunette who played Annie
Little Orphan Annie
Little Orphan Annie was a daily American comic strip created by Harold Gray and syndicated by Tribune Media Services. The strip took its name from the 1885 poem "Little Orphant Annie" by James Whitcomb Riley, and made its debut on August 5, 1924 in the New York Daily News...
, for playing a redhead but not actually being one. Eventually, Cartman, using the sentiment that "The only way to fight hate … is with MORE hate!" convinces the Ginger kids to decide to kill all the town's non-gingers.
In the dead of night Stan, Kyle, and Kenny decide to sneak into Cartman's room and change him back to his original appearance. However, on their way over, Ginger kids start to creep out of seemingly nowhere and follow them. At first, though terrified, the boys try to ignore them. Kenny is suddenly snatched away, prompting Kyle and Stan to break into a run. Meanwhile, kids across the town are abducted from their homes by the Ginger kids. Eventually, Stan and Kyle are the only ones left. They lock themselves in a barn for protection but the Ginger kids break in and overwhelm the two boys.
All the non-gingers are taken to the Sunset Room at the Airport Hilton Hotel, complete with a lava pit and refreshment buffet. They are all imprisoned in cages and will be chosen for sacrifice one by one.
"Daywalker" Kyle is chosen as the first; by Cartman's twisted logic, a "half-ginger" is much worse than one with no such trait. However, he asks that before he dies, he say something private to Cartman. Kyle whispers in Cartman's ear that he is not in fact a "ginger". Now thinking only of self-preservation, he realizes that if his own cult were to learn of his true physical identity he too would die with every other non-"ginger kid" of the town. Cartman pretends to have had an epiphany that everyone should live in harmony and peace since Kyle's speech. As the non-gingers are freed, Kyle mutters to Cartman that he is a "manipulative asshole" to which Cartman (for once) agrees but does not care as long as his own life is safe.
External links
- Ginger Kids Full episode at South Park Studios
- Ginger Kids Episode guide at South Park Studios