Whenever I compose a new message, it automatically uses red color for the type. How do I change this to black?

This happened suddenly a couple of weeks ago. I see how to change default font and size, but not color.Whenever I compose a new message, it automatically uses red color for the type. How do I change this to black?
there schould be a little icon to change the color. try finding a little arrow on the list for a ';hidden icon'; view. have u tried right clicking for changing settings on the message?