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Jun. 25, 2007 Welcome to the world of albinos and autists, a world where South African apartheid-like realities are woven -- sometimes unimaginably -- around these unfortunate people. Yes, of course the world of albinos and autists is quite funny to look at on the surface, but deep down they suffer from various degrees of neglect, marginalization, inferiority complexes, humiliation, dejection, and rejection. These people weren't responsible for the way they are, yet the kind of first degree let-downs they experience, and the disguised segregation they face, in general relations with their fellow homo-sapiens, calls for a new orientation and change of attitude. Behold, they are beholden to their fate; and behold, they deserve our empathy. Autistic children are children that have problems with speech, attention, co-ordination, problems with behaviour, and some with the way they think or imagine. It’s a disorder that can cause a child not to have the ability to imagine. Happy, but essentially unconscious of his or her environment, the autistic child can sometimes play heartily with scorpions or even fire, if monitors aren't around. In many families you find them gesticulating without talking, playing without uttering a word, or when they do utter a word it is incoherent, inaudible, and senseless. You find them locked up at home because any attempt to bring them out may spell disaster, as they may not be able to distinguish between a moving car and human beings. They constitute somewhat of a nuisance to their families, evoking memories of witchcraft and wizardry, or other human delusions, as sources for their abnormal lives. Autism can be a shameful reminder of procreation gone awry, provoking recrimination between husband and wife over whose gene or blood was to blame for the product. It is sometimes a source of shame and embarrassment, leading to exchanges of regretful and emotional resignation. Albinos on the other hand are the 'fake' white men and women we see on our streets. Their skin colour -- which is neither white nor black -- mark them out as special. Albinos are never found in any political positions, or other social and economic positions of authority. In school, even when they are brilliant, their characteristics work against them, as they feel inferior or markedly different from their fellow students. I particularly remember Benin City in those days, as the former defunct Bendel Lines boss was an albino. He now owns Christal Lines transport company, which plies Benin-Lagos routes. Albinos are found everywhere in the world, and they are very visible by the degree of their pigmentation. Albinism is often viewed in Africa with disdain. The colour of their skin, which is lighter and whiter than average whites, foments issues of derision by young, naive children. Given the corneal sensitivity albinos have, sunlit playgrounds become their worst enemy. Skin infections attack at will, and when you see an albino pick a fight with a non-albino, it takes only a moment before you see their skin showing signs of redness and bruising. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was forced to lament, the other day, at a national conference on albino-ism, the fate of 1.3 million Nigerian albinos, expressing sadness that "albinos remain among the poorest, least educated, and most maginalized of all vulnerable groups in the country." Their plight, OBJ reasoned, "derives directly not from any mental or physical disability, but mainly as a result of the discrimination, social exclusion, stigma, and sometimes human rights abuse, which they are frequently subjected to as a result of their skin colour." Continuing, the Owu chief whose days as president saw the systematic bastardization of values and virtues, said "It is not uncommon to find families practicing infanticide on new born albino children, believing that their employment opportunities are limited, and therefore their education is a waste of resources." According to the ex-General cum ex-president, "albinos who make it to school suffer incessant teasing and bullying from classmates, ending up with their having little or no self-confidence and assertiveness. As a result, many albinos do not have full social and economic tools to live productive lives. Those who lack the confidence to compete favourably rarely reach their full economic potential--with adverse implications for both the individuals and the nation". This negative attitude towards the albinos, he added, "is driven by ignorance reinforced by uninformed traditional myths and superstitions about albinism." A few years ago in Germany while on a business trip, my good friend and I were playing snooker in a Dusseldorff club when suddenly an albino from Nigeria showed up. As my companion defeated me, the albino, who up to then had been watching and applauding Chidi whenever he hit it big, offered to challenge my friend, boasting that he would most definitely beat Chidi--even offering a wager. Chidi jocularly (and mischieviously) asked him if he could see the balls well enough to mount a serious opposition. The albino became livid with rage, and replied thus: "my friend, if you want to insult me, you better come straight out with it rather than beating around the bush over the excellent colour God gave me!" Everyone, including some young white Germans, burst into uncontrollable laughter at the albino's confidence and composure as the game got underway. In the end the albino came out victorious and had the last laugh saying "Sebi, I tell you say I go win you, now you see; you be mugu for this game my friend," eliciting another round of laughter and applause. Like hunch-backs, albinos fall victims to ritual killers who see their condition as money-spinners. But some albinos have, through hardwork and talent, become celebrities in the world. One example will suffice here: King Yellowman, the Jamaican ragga crooner, is a successful musician respected worldwide. His music is enjoyed throughout the vast reggae world. Ditto for Malian Salif Keita. I believe there is a need for albinos to be empowered, both individually and collectively, and Nigerians need to be supplied appropriate information aimed at re-orientating -- and removing -- the veil of ignorance and misconceptions. Albinism may not be a 'curse' after all. ------------ About the author: Sunny Chris Okenwa is a U-K contributor based in Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire. Email: soco_abj_2006_rci@hotmail.fr Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com. Please link to this article rather than copying and pasting it onto your site (which would be unauthorized and illegal). |
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