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CTV News | Victim of 'Kick a Ginger Day' heads back to school

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Home : Canada : Victim of 'Kick a Ginger Day' heads back to school

Victim of 'Kick a Ginger Day' heads back to school

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Canada AM: Aaron Mishkin, bullied over red hair

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Mon. Nov. 24 2008 8:25 AM ET

A B.C. student will reluctantly head back to school today after his classmates kicked him dozens of times last week during a daylong prank called "National Kick a Ginger Day."

The event, which has become an international phenomenon as word spread on the social networking site Facebook, asked kids across the country to kick schoolmates with red hair. The idea spread quickly from the virtual community into classrooms not just here in Canada but also into schools as far away as the U.K.

School officials in Alberta and B.C. have suspended dozens of students who participated by kicking fellow students. The prank has even prompted the Comox Valley RCMP in B.C. to investigate the teenage administrator of a Facebook group that allegedly encouraged the attacks.

Aaron Mishkin, a 13-year-old high school victim of the prank from Nanaimo, B.C., said he didn't know last Thursday was "kick a ginger day," but he quickly found out.

"There were quite a few people kicking (me)," he said, noting he couldn't believe some of his classmates actually thought the violence was funny.

"I tried to explain to them that this wasn't right thing to do, that it couldn't be a joke because it involved violence. But they didn't listen to me," he said.

Mishkin said he was so devastated by what happened on Thursday he decided not to go to school on Friday.

"My opinion of the people (who participated in the kicking) changed. I didn't think they were capable of that before, but after Thursday I just viewed them in a different light. I didn't want to go back and see them again that day," he said.

Mishkin said punishing kids who participated in the violence may not be the best solution, but he said some of the kids should get counselling.

"Because really, it's like a hate crime directed against a group of people," he said.

"I like my red hair. I never thought it would be a cause for violence."

Comments are now closed for this story

Felix from Toronto
said

its quite sad and pathetic that teens think violence and screwing up for others in society is funny. its time we make laws that are tough on teens and send the message that they SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED to get away with anything that is against law


Chris from Kingston
said

Bleeding hearts will blame Facebook and the internet for this disgusting incident, however the real blame lies with the parents that allow 13 year old children onto social networking sites without monitoring what they say or do. This time its a group about kicking fellow students. Next time it could be a predator luring their children.


nc
said

Another reason why people are plain stupid. Social networking sites, make the stupidity grow like wildfire.


Felix from Toronto
said

I am very ANGRY time and time again when i hear on the news that a drunk driver kills an innocent man, woman or child walking the streets and turns out the driver was a teen who walks without injuries but resulting in that victim's family suffering with the loss of a member. ITS TIME FOR A MAJOR REFORM OF THE YOUTH CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT. IF ANY TEEN IS READING THIS ALL OF YOU WHO COMMITT CRIMES DO NOT DESERVE TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS UNDER THIS ACT


Leslie
said

Reading this article sickened me.. another example how far the human race has come .... Seems like we have hate and bullying bred inside us and it doesn't take much encouragement to bring it to the surface.


Louise in Ottawa
said

To add to Felix's comments, children and teens are at an age where peer pressure takes over common sense. The television industry has a lot to do with that. Shows like South Park, The Simpsons and Family Guy promote a lot of violence. When my children were growing up I wouldn't even let them watch Bugs Bunny because I thought it was a violent cartoon.


Todd
said

Sorry Aaron, but you can't counsel empathy. This is the natural by-product selfishness and "anything for a joke" mentality converging with mass-audience technology. On the plus side, teens get bored of these things quickly so there's a good chance there won't be a repeat next year...unless of course the media makes a big deal out of it!


Felix from Toronto
said

Im 22 years old and it sickens me even to hear my sisters snickering at the thought of disrespecting public property and disobeying figures of authority. THERE MUST BE A REFORM OF THIS ACT it does absolutely NOTHING TO PROTECT VICTIMS


beeman
said

I view an incident like this as the perfect opportunity to counsel all of our school children on the nature and impact of discrimination based on gender, race, sex, etc. etc. Educators should jump on this one quickly and use it as a demonstration of how hate can creep into the minds of people. One day its people with red hair, the next day its jews or people of colour. Don't waste this chance to influence a significant number of young, impressionable minds.


Scott
said

Have teenagers across Canada learned nothing from the "pink shirts" anti-bullying campaign that originated in NS?

It's not a Facebook issue, it's a parental issue. Parents today are not paying attention to what THEIR children are up too. They learn from example - period.


Trischa Greschner
said

I completely agree with Chris. I'm glad that not everyone wants to blame the internet. I agree it does help bad ideas spread faster, but it also helps a lot of good ones too. I don't think that by sheltering youth with easier criminal laws is going to help them. They need a culture shock in their life if they have any chance at changing. The mentality of youth is getting older with each generation (despite the maturity not budging). It's time that their 'im an adult' mindset meets with adult laws.


Scott
said

I'd also like to know how the parents of some of these children who kicked Aaron feel?

I'm sure one or more of these parents must have red hair themselves.


Mark in Ottawa
said

I agree with reforming the youth act. Any person, regardless of age, should have been brought up correctly knowing what is right and wrong. Publicize these criminals and allow real justice to be served. Youth now are hiding behind the veil that currently excuses them from their actions.


bob
said

Louise in Ottawa - stop blaming T.V., look in the mirror, you will see poor parenting. Plain and simple.


Jonny
said

Um, you know there sure is a lot of whining on here about how the government needs to do something about they way teenagers act... the problem is not the government, nor even the teens themselves. It's the parents, the sooner people realize that the better. Now maybe I'm a terrible person for getting a "kick" out of this story, but really, there is no one to blame aside from parents that fail to raise their children properly and allow them to do whatever they want, including viewing programs like south park, family guy, etc. These are cartoons for adults


Kelly from Coldwater
said

This whole thing started with the cartoon Southpark.
Which shouldn't be watched by kids, but is.
I have a red headed child. She's considered a "daywalker" because she can go out in the sun. My redheaded child turned and glared a few times and wasn't kicked much and definitely not hard. Her feelings weren't hurt, she thought it was funny.
It's much deeper than Facebook. Some kids took it too far. Yes laws should be tougher, but so should the kids. Toughen up a bit. Stop raising namby pamby cry babies.


Bryan
said

There are too many stupid people on this earth. Where is natural selection when you need it?


Edb
said

Is this not a hate crime?
Sorry, what was I thinking...he's clearly not "visible" enough for any legal protection from this type of violence.


James T.
said

Millions of baby girls in China are murdered every year by their own parents just because they were born female.

Girls in Afghanistan are blinded with acid, just because they wanted to go to school.

And in Canada, we're all upset because some little red-headed boy got a kick in the bum.

Toughen up, buttercup! Things could be worse.


trick
said

I agree with kelly, what a bunch wussies. Its a joke.
If the kids dident bleed or bruise no harm done.


Ryan Opperman
said

The creator of the Facebook group should be charged as well for promoting violence!

Facebook should also reconsider what "Groups" are allowed on their site.


Karen
said

...James T. Here is a child being kicked by numberous students for no reason and your reaction is he got kicked in the bum? ....

dawn
said

We are all responsible for what we do online...and parents need to take a proactive role and watch what their children are doing on line. I am on Facebook and i had never heard of this group until last thurs. And for the record my kids left school years ago.


bam wayne
said

that south park episode was quite funny.
did the kids do this as mean bullys or just a playful time?



Sahib Reginawale
said

Good of the Monday morning to everyone. So what do we have here - a fella gets kicked because he has red hair. I wish I HAD hair - whatever colour.


Michel (Ottawa)
said

Felix wrote: "Teens should not be allowed to get away with anything that is against the law."
You're kidding right? This is Canada. Land of the Young Offender's Act. You know the one, eh? It's the liberal brainchild that makes a mockery of our justice system by letting kids get away with most anything until they're 18. Heck it even allows for protecting their identity by hiding that fact from the public.
I just don't understand why teens would behave this way given ALL OF THOSE NASTY DETERRENTS in our system.
Only in Canada, eh? Pity.


JP in Ontario
said

This is disgusting! I agree that there are worse things happening around the world James, but its still unacceptable. This is not something to be written off as kids will be kids, its discriminatory violence based on appearance. I thought stuff like that was supposed to be viewed as the worst kind?!
Parenting is a big part of the issue here for sure. To anyone immediately looking to blame Facebook, as NC commented, these sites simply let stupidity spread, they dont promote it. But as another individual here posted, they need to be made to examine what kind of "Groups" they allow.
You dont want your kid involved in this stupid stuff, monitor their internet usage, its fair to do that, remember, YOU are in charge as the parent. Louise, dont blame TV. Granted they portray violence in a comedic manner, with little to no consequence, but they have warnings at the start of them, advising parents to exercise viewer discretion, EXERCISE IT. Parents nowadays just write it off as out of their control, what a cop out! A lot of Parents seem to forget that their job is to teach, oversee, and lead by example. Stop raising idiots, and parent.


New World
said

Oh Chris from Kinston,

You don't have children do you? If you do, I'll bet you are either very naive or you're using spyware on their computer, GPS positioning software on their mobile devices and vehicles, recording all calls, embedded spies among their teen friends.

Can you not remember your teens year? It was pretty simple to get past your parent's monitoring was it not… and that was a much simpler time.


Nanook
said

Why not a "give a ginger your lunch money day?" Or, "kiss a ginger?" Always something violent.


korie
said

just yesterday i met a 5 year old girl who now sports a large bruise on her lower back. nice!

i say that we let the parents of these children give the bullies a kick back, let them see what a boot to the ribs (ankles, shins, butt) feels like. i agree that this falls into the category of 'i am a mean, uncaring child who was raised to not care about anyone but myself and my actions are my parents problem'
i believe in karma.


StandingTall
said

Felix..
I agree with most of your comments,good to hear from a younger viewer..
I too was a target of abuse in school.
Now I can wear a pink shirt and not made to feel ashamed.

It started with being a Skiny Daddy Long Legs Kid
with braces and lets watch him bleed when they would punch me in the face.
Those days are long past ,but the memories
still exist and have helped me be more sysmpathtic to the
less than accepted kids in
society because of their
demeaning peer judged physical faults.

Community Service to more
severe punishments are required in this and other
cases such as this...







LG in Ont
said

Oh for goodness sake here people - I am sure this originated as a joke on the facebook site - I am sorry that some kids took it literally but I am pretty sure that was not the intention. To label this as a hate crime is ridiculous - it was simply a joke that got out of hand. What about blonde jokes years ago - I was a victim of that many many times by coworkers, family, friends, etc so it must have been a hate crime against me too right? No? What is the difference? Verbal abuse is the same as physical is it not? Yet I bet not one of you said a word against it did you and I bet most of you even participated. The point here is to lighten up not everything done in our society against someone else is a "hate crime" that is just the "du jour" of the moment - educate the kids involved in letting this incident get out of hand and get on with it - life is too short to be whining about every little real or imagined slight against you. As for me? I laughed along with everyone else.


Louise Ottawa
said

Bob, your comment is inappropriate. I said I never let my chidren watch these shows growing up. I was in the military. My children received first hand info on how the world acts towards people who are different. Those lessons they never forgot. Parents today let the tv raise their kids.


Liz Ottawa
said

I think this stems from bad parenting. I never let my daughter even watch the Simpsons as she was growing up because I didnt find it was giving her a good example of values I wanted her to follow. Since that time others shows emerged such as South Park and Family Guy that are even worse than the Simpsons. I think they border on dangerous for teens to watch since they are so impressionable. However ultimately the control is with the parents. Society is not the nanny for your kids, you are. It is up to parents to draw the line and see what their kids are watching on tv and what video games etc they are playing. However lots of parents are abysmal failures at parenting due to poor skills, no energy, lack of time, so little Johnny virtually has to raise himself and gets exposed to this kind of crap on television. Not a good thing. Parents are you listening, why the heck do you let your kids watch this crap, it is bad bad bad for them. I dont even find it wholesome as an adult to watch, and I already have my values formed. You are turning out these little freaking monsters who go around wreaking havoc on society instead of pursuing gainful useful to society objectives. Oh yes instead of studying for a test why I dont I go beat up a red haired kid. Some parents I swear should not be allowed to have kids. you get an owners manual with a car but not with a kid and there should be one.


Al
said

This all comes down to the fact that children and adolescents have not been taught empathy. That is what allows human beings to put themselves in someone elses place and understand how that person feels. It is what separates us from the animals. Humour is fine, but this joke went way too far - this was assault.


JB
said

Kelly from Coldwater...Being kicked is funny??


Mo
said

That's just sad. It's no different from the bullying we used to see in our early years in school, cept this one was clearly premeditated and organized.

And this is Canada guys, we've got better expectations of our society, and comparing us to other countries like China and Afghanistan doesn't do justice to any of the countries. Otherwise what right would we have at all to criticize them.


Brian
said

Could you imagine what would have happened if this was "national kick a Asian/Black/hispanic/aborigional day"?

These kids that did the kicking should be jailed for life. It should not matter if it is asian, black, hispanic, aborigional or giner.

James T, toughen up buttercup? Would you be saying that if these kids were black or aborigional?
Give you head a shake.


Jimmy
said

Yet another example of Facebook contributing to the decay of our society.


DGL
said

It might have been a joke, but how stupid do you have to be not to realize that some kids will take it too far, so DON'T POST STUPID THINGS TO THE INTERNET TO GET ATTENTION. And for the people who believe that the kid being targeted is a "wuss" for not taking a beating, that sounds like bully-talk to me? Were you guys bullies in school? Thought so.


B. Kelley, Ontario
said

The courts, schools, media and, most all, parents, have conditioned kids to believe that bad behaviour is always someone else's fault and there should be no negative consequences. It's not TV or Facebook or video games or music at the heart of the matter. It's the fact that there is no accountability and the kids know it. Moral standards in our homes that slide all over the place to suit the occasion are powerful teaching examples. When we look at our kids, they are a portrait of how we have raised them. Don't like what we see? Well, we painted the picture.


Joe out west
said

You can tell by some (iron hand) comments here who's children are more likely to initiate and take part of in this sort of thing. Maybe if these parents led by example instead of wanting to through everyone in Jail.

I know too many parents who teach their children to be strong, to fight for what you want, to be popular, to be successful at any cost. Not many parents teach their children to care for the weak, to stand up for the meek, to feel pity for the bullies, or to be sympathetic… why? Because that's is not how you are going to succeed in life, and it's a liberal trait.


Larry NL
said

Growing up in the 40s and 50s, was a time that most of the children had respect for one another as well as their elders. Oh you had the school yard fight from time to time and you took your licks, two days later all were friends again. I can never remember kids picking on some one because they were different.
Some red heads were called "Woody Wood Pecker". I was called shorty or runt. We would laugh these comments off.
But kicking some one because they are different or for any other reason is assault.
What amazes me is that these people doing the kicking got the idea from a cartoon series. These kids are in high school where they should be beyond this kind of conduct, but then look at the people who are going to universities today they haven't matured much either.
Teachers and parents are just not doing a very good job at bringing today's children through adolescence.
Some teachers are just as guilty of passing on bullying to students as some parents are. But that's another story.



Michelle
said

Kids will be kids. That is why they need adult supervision. Somewhere along the line some adults failed in their jobs of teaching right from wrong.


Steve in PEI
said

This kind of thing is as old as the human race itself. People are cruel and kids especially, open your eyes. Parenting can't change human nature. A more disciplined environment in school where authorities actually had real power to punish children and parents would support teachers in this would help, though.

As well, being rational and moral (somoetimes) is also a real side of human nature and talking to kids and explaining why stuff like "kick a ginger" is bad and can get out of hand is also likely to help. Kids do generally have a better nature that can be appealed to.

Social networking sites make it easier for this kind of thing to be coordinated and spread... on the other hand, social networking sites put it all out in the open where anyone can see it and respond to it.

Social networking sites clearly aren't going away, and Nazi-esque monitoring of childrens' every online move probably isn't practical or to some degree even desirable. Therefore, the only way to cope is for parents and authorities to get more savvy and learn how to use the public nature of sites like MySpace and Facebook to their advantage (example: force your kids to add you as a friend on Facebook as a condition of being allowed on the computer so you have full access to their profile :D).


R D
said

How about banning Ultimate Fighting from TV. That would be a start. Turning our sports arenas, convention centres, etc. into gladiator pits in a peaceful society, all for the sake of making money, now, that's disgusting. And kids mimick this crap. I think every one of the kids who took part in the stupid, so called JOKE should be made to take centre stage at a general assembly and apologize to their victims, with their parents present.


Janine from Toronto
said

I am so *bleeping* annoyed that everyone keeps blaming the show South Park. First off, the show is a SATIRE. They don't take a single thing they say seriously. If you do, then you're an idiot. Secondly, the episode entitled "Ginger Kids" is from season 9 and originally aired on November 9 of 2005. 2005! And it's only causing controversy now? Hm, I wonder why... Maybe because of the idiot who created the facebook group? Anyone ever think of that? Why blame Matt and Trey when it was that moron who's caused the problems?
Finally, to Louise in Ottawa - go rent Bowling for Columbine and pay special attention to the interview with Marilyn Manson. He talks about how music and television is not to blame, it's just an outlet for parents who have trouble admitting their faults. ...

Brock
said

I was invited to this group and I did think it was funny but I did not accept the invitation.

However I am shocked that people would actually carry out something that was obviously intended as a joke. I am surprised that kids in our country are swayed so easily into hate and into committing acts of violence against, what essentially is a minority.

I do think it is the parents responsibility to talk with their kids about what they do on the internet and explain groups like this to them.

Also who lets a 13 y/o on facebook!? Facebook was only ever intended for college and university students, though they have opened it up for other people, it does not seem right that kids of that young age can go on mature social networking programs.


Justin
said

seriously, you people blaming network sites like facebook for all of this are amazing. just because its there and used as a tool doesn't make it responsible.

Its the kids fault, if all it took was someone to tell them "hey its kick a ginger day" and they go out and do it then they were able and willing to do this already. Don't blame facebook just becuase it was used as a tool.

If parents would learn how to parent their kids properly we wouldn't have this problem.

It's to bad that we live in a day where we have to fear teaching our kids because thye can call the cops its no wonder parents today have a tough time raising a proper kid.


Dee Knudsen
said

How brave of Aaron to come forward and speak about his experience, he seems to be a well rounded teen with a good head on his shoulders and I commend him for handling the situation the way he has. He is really being mature about it all. I think his red hair is beautiful! As for the students who took part in this hate crime, they should know better in this day and age, and should be ashamed of themselves. They are old enough to understand what they did was not only mean, but is also a hate crime and discrimination. I wonder if they would like to experience a kick a blonde day or kick a brunette day etc.They should be punished or they will continue to do stupid things like this and think it is a joke, or funny.


Matthew from North Sydney
said

For those of you out there that are trying to blame this on Southpark, may want to actually watch the episode in question. Yes, cartman did start with the anti-ginger stuff, but was taught a lesson about summarily hating against a group of people.

Saying south park is horrible because of it's episode is like saying fables are horrible because you never listen long enough to find out the moral of the story.


Deborah Deegan
said

It is to blame the internet for these heinous acts of bullying. Ultimately, the responsibility is the individual. I highly recommend that every person, child or adult, should watch "The Cart Boy", a Michael Clattenburg short film that can be found easily on you tube. Although it contains a few expletives, it will change hearts and minds much faster than any educational, governmental, or political will.


Michael from Toronto
said

I think the real problem can be attributed to 2 things, neither of which is age-dependent:

1) many people do not have a grounding in self-respect. They follow whatever makes them feel good because they lack restraint and will. In this case, they project their own inadequacies on to a minority; in this case, someone with red hair.

2) undisciplined creativity. Morality does not have a monopoly on creativity; which is often a mindless process, devoid of morality, a human sentiment. Some of the worst atrocities visited on people came from ingenious and creative minds. The Nazis were the most notable but people with the same potential walk among us today.

Young people need to be brought up to appreciate that something which feels like fun or looks good isn't always good; and that something which appears unpleasant or unattractive similarly isn't always bad. They need to learn to use their intellect more than to rely on impulsive reactions.


Ian Ottawa
said

Bad parenting is to blame in part because our society has made it necessary for both parents to work. If you can't raise your own children then do the world a favour and don't plan on having them. The three instances that stand out in my mind and sicken me are this story, the one last week of people encouraging a young man to commit suicide on the net. And people taking pictures after the murder of the poor girl shot in Toronto. It is the fault of the Liberal Government that allows the youth to run amoke without being held accountable and to allow 2 or three for 1 time while awaiting sentences for crimes, but the people can write to the Ministers and present there views and demand that there voices be heard that enough of the criminal elements and the disregard for the laws which are supposed to protect us and our families, and in fact, favour the lawless. Stand up and rebel against the evil and the lawyers that profit from it.


Mike in ON
said

To anyone saying that this was 'all intended in fun,' or 'suck it up' - I can only imagine that you've never had to deal with something like 'kick a ginger day.'

You say it's no big deal? Well, let's say that one of the red-headed kids getting kicked is a haemopheliac. Still think it's funny?

I would also agree that there are some definite parenting issues here. Not only would I disallow my kids from watching shows like South Park, Family Guy, or the Simpsons - I won't even watch them myself! No, I'm not a prude, but I find the language and 'humour' presented on such shows to be offensive and inappropriate.


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