A young African-American boy who has Albinism describes his condition and the problems he has because of it.
Got the idea for this story after going to church Sunday evening; there was a beautiful little boy who had albinism. He was African-American, but he looked white. He had really pale pink skin, grey eyes, and a curly afro the color of pale straw. He was very exotic looking, and he was a little cutie!
My name be Antwon Shaeffer, and I be 12 years old. I don't have many in the way of friends because I have albinism.
Albinism mean that I don't have much in the way of "melanin" (the more you have, the darker you are) or pigmentism in my skin; because of it, I look like a white boy instead of an African-American. Instead of brown, my skin color is pink, and my eyes are really pale grey; and my hair is a really pale yellow-white color (although I DO have the Afro thing going on!). I also have a lot of trouble with my eyes, and because of it I have to wear dark glasses whenever I go outside; because any bright light (like the sun) hurts my eyes; they are so sensitive to light. I also have to often wear my glasses indoors if there is a lot of light coming into the room.
I don't have many friends at school; people be teasing me, calling me names like "Pinky", "White Boy", or even worse; and I am often embarrassed when I get up in front of people I don't know. I especially get embarrassed when I tell people that I am African-American because I sure do not look like it. I look more like a white kid with my light skin, grey eyes, and light yellow hair.
So, rather than being teased or ostracized at school, I just stay the hell out of peoples' way, and I just keep to myself. Besides, I have my video games and my computer to keep me company. (I am an only child.)
Don't ask me where the albino genes that I got came from; everyone else in my family (my momma and poppa, my aunts, uncles, and grandparents, as well as my cousins) look like the African-Americans they are; but me, I just stick out like a sore thumb; and I absolutely hate being the center of attention and all the staring!
i love the way you write, karen...you write with the heart and soul of a child, but with a maturity, too...very well written and researched. (((HUGS))) and love, karla. :)
My name be Antwon Shaeffer, and I be 12 years old. I don't have many in the way of friends because I have albinism.
