I am told that people kill albinos and chop their body parts.

May 5, 2016 5:21 PM

In / Visibility - "They have not been registered at birth.
Similarly, they do not die, rather, they 'vanish.' There are no graves of albinos in cemeteries — people would come and steal the bones.".
In neighbouring Malawi, the UN warns Witchcraft Superstitions could lead to 'Total Extinction' for Albinos.
Last Year Tanzanian albino children mutilated for use in witchcraft received treatment in the US. Progress is slow combatting violence and discrimination.
(Previously 1; 2. and the quote - dated 1950)
posted by adamvasco (12 comments total)

Calling this "discrimination" is like calling a nuclear weapon a "gadget," almost exactly.
posted by Bringer Tom at 6:06 PM on May 5, 2016 [2 favorites]

My friend won an award for his excellent CBC Ideas radio documentary on discrimination against people with albinism.
posted by chapps at 6:31 PM on May 5, 2016 [1 favorite]

And agree with Bringer Tom that 'discrimination ' does not begin to describe...these people, literally being hunted.
posted by chapps at 6:34 PM on May 5, 2016

Here Lies An Albino
They are not Pig Bones covered in Anthrax, Really
posted by benzenedream at 7:19 PM on May 5, 2016 [1 favorite]

Those poor beautiful children...
posted by lovelygirl at 7:23 PM on May 5, 2016 [3 favorites]

I saw a documentary on this, maybe it is even linked in the OP... I wouldn't know as I'm not clicking on any of those since I've heard enough of this tragic, hateful, and continuing thing to be pretty sure that I'm very nearly a monster myself for not donating my net earnings to orgs that work to combat it.

The world is a fucked up place. And we are all, myself as much and even more than others, complicit.

.
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:40 PM on May 5, 2016

"Calling this "discrimination" is like calling a nuclear weapon a "gadget," almost exactly."

The term is of course "device".
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 9:25 PM on May 5, 2016 [1 favorite]

And you wonder why UFOs fly close enough to be sighted but never stop to say hello?
We are Lion Country Safari to more evolved civilizations.
Humans are fascinating to observe in the wild (as this FPP shows) but for cryin' out loud, keep the windows rolled up.
posted by Fupped Duck at 9:36 PM on May 5, 2016 [1 favorite]

Steph Curry on albino children in Africa.

"And Steph said, 'What about the albino performance?'"

Curry knew of a special home for albino children, who suffered all sorts of challenges -- including deafness and blindness. Worse, their lives were at risk: A witch doctor in 2009 had told villagers that chopping off albino limbs and grinding their bones into a "magic dust" was good luck.

On this night, dozens of children were ready to unveil songs and dances they'd been rehearsing for months. They'd never had a visitor like Curry.

Reilly concedes he could not muster the strength to go that night. But Curry not only went, but held the children close and kissed them.

"I was there with Steph -- it was one of the most difficult few hours of my life," Helfrich said. "Stephen handled it like a champ -- was so gracious, respectful, and attentive."
posted by jessssse at 1:28 PM on May 6, 2016 [2 favorites]

Humanity.
posted by Belle O'Cosity at 11:56 PM on May 6, 2016

I was in error dating the quote to 1959 - that was when Jakaya Kikwete ex president of Tanzania was born.
It was within his power to substantially curb or eradicate this foul practice and he didn't in spite of making the right noises.
posted by adamvasco at 8:13 AM on May 7, 2016

The term is of course "device".

Gadget was the term of art used in the day at Los Alamos by the Manhattan Project scientists. Device came later more in the days of H-bomb development. But obscene understatement all around.
posted by Bringer Tom at 8:18 PM on May 7, 2016