Thank you for posting this Linda!! I'd heard of this problem in the past but never imagined it to be as bad as it is now reported. I also thought that the number seemed inflated until I did some research here:
http://www.humanrights-geneva.info/Albinos-also-Victims-of,496
"Africa apparently has a higher prevalence of people born with albinism with about one per 4,000 to 5,000 persons compared to a country like Denmark, with one in 60,000."
This correlates with the current violence and discrimination we've recently seen reported concerning people with red hair (called "gingers" in the UK). Sociologically speaking, this type of prejudice has a long history as people with very light skin and hair are more apt to have health problems and sensitivities. However, due to education and the evolution of mankind, there is NO excuse for this type of cruelty.
Thanks again for posting this. Isn't it absolutely shocking how people will judge others?
We have children of numerous ethnicities and it never ceases to amaze me how cruel even seemingly well-meaning people can be. I've had older Asian men and women comment on which of my Korean daughters is more beautiful due to the shape of their eyes or lightness of their skin (I guess light skin and rounder eyes are considered "better"). I've also had many many black people approach me about my children who are black and comment about the attractiveness of one's lighter skin compared to one who has darker skin. Also, I've heard comments about "good" hair and "bad" hair.
Jeesh. Can't we just look at inner beauty and appreciate everyone's physical differences? I can't even imagine the terror these people in Africa are experiencing.