Rome's Ginger Pride Walk becoming a growing force for anti-bullying, will gather at 11 a.m. today

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From the start, James Schroeder knew he would continue his Ginger Pride Walk through downtown Rome each year. The red-haired local artist just didn’t know if anyone would join him.

In the years since that first walk in 2011, the number of people who participate has grown from 15 to more than 300, and an attempt at celebrating individuality has garnered some extra attention.

“I got a call from NPR,” Schroeder said as he sat down to talk about this year’s walk, which will happen today at noon.

“They want to cover it … Is that not crazy?”

Those who want to walk should be at Heritage Park at 11 a.m.

The group will then walk across the Robert Redden Footbridge and through downtown to City Hall.

While the event features people walking down Broad Street carrying signs that make good fun of the ginger qualities of red hair and fair, freckled skin, Schroeder said everyone can be a part of it.

“I really want it to teach kids to use humor to deflect bullying and celebrate what is unique about themselves,” Schroeder said. “It shows that you can make fun of me, but it’s not going to hurt my feelings.”

As a teacher, Schroeder once had a student make a rude comment about his appearance. When he heard other ginger students get picked on, he came up with the idea of the walk.

“We just want to get kids to be proud of who they are,” Schroeder said after receiving a proclamation from the City Commission on Monday. “It’s using humor as nonviolence.”

As participation has grown, so has recognition for the unique event.

“There have been other types of redhead events around the country, but this is something that has kind of become bigger that Rome,” Schroeder said.

Participants have come from around the Southeast in recent years, and this year’s edition is set to include at least one float and a grand marshal.

“I want more people to come out and take part,” Schroeder said. “It’s not just a redhead thing. It’s for everybody.”

Schroeder hopes people will still come out and support today’s walk despite the threat of rain, something he commented on with a ginger approach.

“Well, if it does, we won’t have to worry about sunburn,” he said.

Source: Rome News

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