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Othering the 'White': Discrimination against African Albinos |
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Saturday, 6 June 2009Albinism is more than a medical or sociological phenomenen in Africa. A trial concerning murder of Albinos took place in Burundi in recent days. Presecutors declared that the found bones are the evidences and asked for the maximum punishment. In Burundi and Tanzania more than 50 albinos were murdered in recent months. Is it lack of education, prominence of traditional practices shaped by beliefs or even myths or being "undeveloped' or "unmodernized' that cause murders of Albino Africans? The answer would be a tricky one.
Albinism is actually a genetic illness caused black by lack of natural colouring pigments called melanin. People with albinism are identified with an unnatural white color of their skin and hair. Although it is confirmed as a medical condition albinos are stil stigmatized with insulting attributions in African societies such as Burundi, Nigeria and Tanzania. "White", "curse from god(s)" or "bleached" are just some of commonly used words to describe those "abnormal' people.
As a result of these superstitions, Albinos have suffered from both individual and public discrimination, deprivation and isolation in every sphere of social life. Beyond that, Albinos also suffer from other conditions. Their skins can not tolarate the ultraviolet rays of the sun. They develop skin cancer with the age of 30 or even earlier. They have also difficulties in their professional life. As consequence of their high sensitivity to the sun light and the inability to read as fast as the healthy ones they can not perform like the "normal" ones in education and work.
Moreover, violent pyhsical treatments are practiced in order to get rid of Albinos. In some countries albinos are killed at birth and the parents of the baby are also regarded as infidel or damned. But it is to mention that an albino couple could have children who do not have any indications of albinism. It is also probable that dark-skinned couples could have children with albinism, if they spawn a generation of albinism. Besides, a great number of albinos are killed for magical purposes to be sold for potions in particular to traditional healers and "witch doctors" in rural areas. There were also some legal attempts of Burundi and Tanzania Albino Association to prevent killings in their countries. Their struggle against the murders seems to linger.
By Muge Akpinar (JTW) |
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Journal of Turkish Weekly
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