Zimbabwean Twitter Comrade Just Dumo is not only a straight-talking feminist; she’s a young Afropolitan with Albinism.
As this past week has been full of ‘inspiring’ visuals relating to Albinism in honour of the International Albinism Awareness Day. From edgy models, familiar public figures to poverty-oriented stereotypes.
Because Albinism has long been explained as a scientific oddity rather than a human experience; Just Dumo shares why this type ‘awareness’ is some type of bullshit by serving us the REAL.
Disclaimer, this thread will provoke you into thinking differently and might break your heart a little bit.
A thread…
This is good grounds for us to talk about the language people use when addressing or discussing people with albinism, and how to be more respectful in general.
A thread on etiquette and basic human decency.
— uyauya (@justDumo) June 2, 2019
I’m trying to figure out where to start, because evidently from these DM’s, all some of you care about is the optics of being associated with someone like me, so close to a day when you can leverage that association.
— uyauya (@justDumo) June 2, 2019
People with albinism exist beyond your Albinism Day PR campaigns. We live full, multidimensional lives. You owe us a little sonder, and a lot of creative freedom to showcase who we are beyond your myopic perceptions.
— uyauya (@justDumo) June 2, 2019
Second.
We are not “albinos”
The term “albino” has been used to negate our humanity forever.And you know this.
I’m especially surprised when melenated black people, who understand what it feels to be reduced by words, continue to dismiss that I am a person.
— uyauya (@justDumo) June 2, 2019
We are also not “people living with albinism”.
We are people or person with albinism.
“Living with” implies disease. We respect and see people living with disease, but albinism is a condition that causes no pain or extended symptoms in the same way.
Frame who we are correctly.
— uyauya (@justDumo) June 2, 2019
Do not stare at people like me. Especially (and I CANNOT BELIEVE I have to add this) children.
Along with your pair of eyes, there are hundreds, thousands more that take us in head to toe like we are objects for your viewing pleasure.
— uyauya (@justDumo) June 2, 2019
Stop putting people with albinism under your spotlight in general with your gestures and comments.
I never realized how regular this was in Zimbabwe until an ex told me. Everytime we walked down the street they felt like we were on show.
Menelated black people. Do better.
— uyauya (@justDumo) June 2, 2019
Understand our condition. Albinotic skin is hypersensitive to UV rays.
We should not have to put ourselves at risk of sunburn, sunstroke and skin cancer because people are inconsiderate. Show some sensitivity.
— uyauya (@justDumo) June 2, 2019
Whew.
Leave us alone.
Don’t touch albinotic people that you don’t know. Don’t take photographs us without our consent. DONT HAND US COINS TO SUBVERT YOUR GHOSTS.Let me make this clear.
We do not live for you.
We are not catalysts towards your self improvement, in any way.
— uyauya (@justDumo) June 2, 2019
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