Albinos Are People, People!

This week has proved exponentially successful in Christina's world of albinism research. I have received multiple emails back from albinos answering all of my interview questions in full detail. What was my most interesting finding, you ask? Actually, I was sincerely shocked about the misconceptions and social stigmas that revolve around albinos. One of my interviewees told me, "Here in the US, I think there is some social stigma about albinism, but it's certainly nothing compared to the stigma that exists in other parts of the world, particularly in places like Eastern Africa where people with albinism are seen by their communities as being cursed and they are actually murdered because of superstition." I couldn't believe my eyes. It seems so unreal that someone could take a physical difference to that sort of misunderstanding. This isn't just bullying, it's massacre. However, even here in America there are misconceptions about albinos that are just downright silly. My personal favorite, "Albinism occurs because of a mother being struck by lightning when she's pregnant."
Needless to say, I am excited to continue learning more about the REAL story behind albinism, and not just their ethereal visage.