Just because I have Albinism and I am black, am I not a Person?
By Tracy Watts (July 21, 2024, Gilbert, Arizona)
Ava Clarke was carried into the world with albinism and her mother was told she would
be legally blind. Her mother responded, “The Perfect Flaw” when she was informed of this. She
was born on Easter Sunday and hails from Jackson, Mississippi. She would later become a model
and her expressions and music are dynamic. One out of every four people might be brought into
the world are affected by albinism. according to the Cleveland Clinic and the NIH (National
Institutes of Health)
Albinism is a rare genetic condition in which your body produces less melanin due to
certain gene mutations. Melanin controls the assortment of skin, eye, and hair pigmentation.
People with albinism have extremely fair skin, eyes, and hair. They run a more serious gamble of
creating vision, skin, and social issues. Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), which affects the skin,
hair, and eyes, is the most well-known of the two head types of albinism. A rarer form of
albinism that mostly affects the eyes is visual albinism, also known as OA (Ocular Albinism).
Individuals who have specific hereditary circumstances are dealt with like untouchables,
disregarded, and for the most part unsupportable. Vulgar terms like “Snowflake,” “albino,”
“powder,” and “ghost” are used to describe some people. These people may be harmed in avariety of ways, from a lack of certainty to worse outcomes. Even worse is their mental state.
They have been mistaken for members of witchcraft cults due to their unique characteristics, and
as a result, they suffer harm when they are pursued and killed. This is the thing the UN Basic
freedoms Chamber needs to say regarding the issue. Many people who have Albinism deal with
daily feelings of ostracism, rejection, and the crippling fear of being kidnapped or attacked on
the way to school, work, or home. Certain individuals might feel confined and discouraged in
light of the inclination.
People like M.S. Ikponwosa “I.K.” Lauretta Ero is a lawyer and advocate in the field of
international human rights. who is a person from Nigeria tell us what is like there compared to
here in the Americas. In an interview she says the following.
In 2019, M.S. Ero at the United Nations Council on Human Rights discussed the
importance of accuracy in collecting data so that data collection to justify the need for health
services and supplies affected. It is important for the justified data to ensure the correct services
are provide to the communities in the African continent as well as the others.
One of the things the journals mentioned was how the data was used to ensure that the
accuracy of the information was used to treat and provide proper health care to patients who
suffer from albinism around the world. While it is considered an issues in places like Africa the
effects are felt worldwide. The statistics in the article mention that the chances of getting it are
rare, the ones who get it do require medical treatments from the moment they are born with it.
The topic is covered in the United Nations Council on Human Rights meeting due to the senstivy
and is monitored on a regular basis to protect them.
My conversion with M.S. I.K. Ero from an organization called “Under the Same Sun.”
M.S Ikponmwosa Ero started the Global Albinism Alliance and the Africa Albinism Network.
She currently serves as Director of Human Rights of Under the Same Sun, as well as a TechnicalAdviser to the Africa Albinism Network. She also suffers from Albinism. The following is an
edited version of an interview with her, via the WhatsApp. The interview was done this way due
to her low vision disability.
Tracy: What is it like to have albinism?
MS. Ero: It depends on what country you are born in. In some places where the skin is dark, the
person tends to face more scrutiny than those who have lighter skin. Whereas those who have
lighter skin and living in an area where the skin is darker tend to face more scrutiny due to this.
She is from Nigeria and says that she “received stigmatism there than when she moved to
Canada, there people would call her names and make a mockery of her on the streets” When she
moved to Canada, she says it happen less. So, discrimination is on the “spectrum, based on
where you live”
Tracy: Can they or will they seek help?
Ms. Ero: “Yes, there are support groups but most of them depend on family and friends to get
through the days”
Tracy: Its’ been an honor to meet you.
Ms. Ero: Thanks, Tracy.
One name many people may have heard about is Diandra Forrest. She is the first black
model with albinism to sign with a major modeling agency. She and Ava are considered role
Models for their achievements and heroism.
She is also friends with Ava Clarke and is pictured below with her.The mental anguish that some of them go through suffering from is hard, often causing
them to feel a sense of isolation and some of them depression. As Ms. Forrest grew up, she tells
us how she was treated by people around her.M.S. Forrest, at a youthful age, is now considered a true role model for those who also suffer with
albinism.
She and Ava live each day one at a time and continue to be a beacon for others as well.
James R Lilith Foundation 