10,000 E. African albinos in hiding after killings

[ensho]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091128/ap_on_re_af/af_africa_albino_killings;_ylt=Asst73w3cmIYKKWUaWrIP3mWwvIE;_ylu=X3oDMTNlaWpsbmcyBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMTI4L2FmX2FmcmljYV9hbGJpbm9fa2lsbGluZ3MEY2NvZGUDbW9zdHBvcHVsYXIEY3BvcwM1BHBvcwM1BHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcmllcwRzbGsDMTAwMDBlYWZyaWNh


The mistaken belief that albino body parts have magical powers has driven thousands of Africa's albinos into hiding, fearful of losing their lives and limbs to unscrupulous dealers who can make up to $75,000 selling a complete dismembered set.

-snip-

African albinos endure insults, discrimination and segregation throughout their lives. They also have a high risk of contracting skin cancer in a region where many jobs are outdoors.

-snip-

The surge in the use of albino body parts as good luck charms is a result of "a kind of marketing exercise by witch doctors," the International Federation for the Red Cross and Crescent societies said.

The report says the market for albino parts exists mainly in Tanzania, where a complete set of body parts — including all limbs, genitals, ears, tongue and nose — can sell for $75,000. Wealthy buyers use the parts as talismans to bring them wealth and good fortune.

"Albinism is one of the most unfortunate vulnerabilities," said International Federation for the Red Cross and Crescent societies Secretary General Bekele Geleta. "And it needs to be addressed immediately at an international level."

-snip-

Almost 90 percent of albinos living in the region were raised by single mothers, Mwaura said, because the fathers believed their wives were having affairs with white men.
-snip-
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10,000 - good grief!

its safe to say E. Africans are way undereducated.

[Zoeisright]

1. Actually, it's safe to say many humans are way undereducated.

Things like this have been going on since the beginning of man.

And still are, in every corner of the earth, not just Africa.

[ensho]

2. and your point is? re: the 10,000 - just ignore the situation?

because people all over the world are undereducated?

[bridgit]

3. Even where such behaviors may be regional, each region has it's own markers...

And Africa has some of the very most violent, ignorant, superstitious, and progress-halting medical/societal interactions as to be seen as unique

[Odin2005]

4. Living proof that Woo kills.

:( :cry:

[Ian David]

5. As if we needed more. n/t