So I finally met up with Rick from Positive Exposure after years of seeing his work. He had the LIFE magazine spread a few years back highlighting those with albinism in a positive light.
He was being filmed for a documentary on his work with Positive Exposure by Kartemquin Films. I, along with two others, was invited down to be a part of it. Kartemquin's best known film, Hoop Dreams, won every major critics prize and journalism award in 1995.
It was exciting to see Rick in action as he photographed those in attendance. His energy and genuine empathy for his subjects is evidenced by his infectious enthusiasm shown during the whole shoot.
Rick is also helping to raise awareness for people with albinism being targeted in Tanzania for their body parts which are sold to witch doctors to create potions of prosperity. Kartemquin Films will follow him to Tanzania Africa to document his work exposing the plight of those suffering under this barbaric act.
Public Radio International did a excellent two part piece on it and I was shocked at the level of ignorance these witch doctors are perpetuating. Come on, weave the gold hairs of an African with albinism into your fishing net and catch plentiful fish? I can't help but wonder if these "doctors" are also knowingly preying upon the ignorance and poverty of their own people for financial gain. Exploitation knows no bounds apparently.
This reminded me of the scene in the latest film District 9 where one fo the warlords thought that by eating an arm of an alien hybrid, he would get his powers.
Peter Ash, from Under the Same Sun is working hard to bring this ongoing barbarism to the attention of the local authorities and the world.
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