THE WHITE DISCRIMINATION: HUMAN RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH ALBINISM AND CINEMA

DIREITOS HUMANOS DAS PESSOAS COM ALBINISMO E CINEMA

Abstract

The transgression of albino’s people human rights, usually ignored by the society, is a fact. The albinism, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), results from the melanin pigmentation system’s multiple genetic anomalies, which affects the skin, hair follicles and eyes. It is a rare genetic condition, non-contagious, observed around the world in either male or female, regardless the ethnicity. Beside the peculiar health problems, the albino people face several other difficulties, such as negative stereotypes created by the cinema with the albino people. It is represented in a negative form, frequently in a villain character, handling diabolic or unnatural powers. The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH) – North America organization supporting the cause – has cataloged 68 (sixty-eight) cinematographic productions, since 1960, containing albino characters, and out of those, 10 (ten) were analyzed with the objective of evaluating the conduct of cinema in relation to albino people. The current work resulted from a bibliographic study of authors, such as: Barros, Bíscaro, Reese, etc. Contents on internet sites, from organizations linked to the cause like NOAH, WHO, United Nations (UN), Albino Incoerente's blog, and from oral reports given by Brazilian albinos, were also searched. The results showed the existence of numerous aspects that require reflection and in-depth studies, given that the serious problem goes beyond prejudice and albino discrimination in cinema. It is necessary to think about albinism from the anthropological, sociological and legal points of view in order to understand the process of (in) visibility, prejudice and discrimination of people with albinism in today’s society.