I can currently hear some women talking about “the ranga gene”. At first I thought they were talking about the small percentage of people who have naturally orange hair. It intrigued me that this “gen Y” invented insult, was now being thrown around by middle aged women, not in a derogatory way, but as a description.
I then realised that they’re not, in fact, referring to the ranga child who is with them, they are actually talking about me – the girl in the corner with the laptop who has ridiculously bright, dyed red hair. Their attempts at subtly are pathetic, but I’m used to attracting a bit of attention and I’m finding their conversation enthralling.
They’re not talking about “the ranga gene” in the sense that one parent must have red hair in order for a child to have red hair. They are talking about “the ranga gene” as someone who is attracted to red hair; the people who appreciate natural rangas, the people who attempt to dye their hair orange, or, in this case, the people who hyperbolise the idea of being a ranga; i.e. me.
It got me to thinking; can this idea of “the ranga gene” be extended to other aspects of life? Can we use the idea of “the ranga gene” to refer to the people whose favourite Beatle is Ringo; the people who like “Champagne Supernova” more than “Wonderwall”?
I’d like to think that “the ranga gene” refers to anyone who loves something that no one else does. It refers to the people who appreciate the beauty in nothing. It refers to the people who like things that are a bit unusual and a bit undiscovered.
“The ranga gene” is becoming more common and less common at the same time. Indie is becoming “hip.” Punk is becoming less “screw the system” and more “do I look hot?” Alternative is becoming mainstream. Among all this, though, “the ranga gene” is thriving.
Occasionally you come across a person who is so eclectic that you can’t find a label for them. These are the ones who have got “the ranga gene”. These are the ones who will always be different, even when the styles which were once considered “alternative” are blending into every other trend. These are the ones who are unique because they were born that way – not because they’re trying to stand out.
