Albinism in popular culture
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2008-07-13T01:41:37Z
81.224.28.129
/* Villains */
The depiction of '''albinism in popular culture''', especially the portrayal of people with [[albinism]] in [[film]] and [[fiction]], has been asserted by albinism organizations and others to be largely negative and has raised concerns that it reinforces, or even engenders, societal [[prejudice]] and [[discrimination]] against such people.<ref name="noah1">[http://www.albinism.org/pressRelease/pressRelease2005-01-06.html "'Evil Albino' missing from 2004 movies. Will ''The Da Vinci Code'' revive the cliché?"], The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation, [[January 6]], [[2005]]; accessed [[December 15]], [[2006]]</ref> This trend is sometimes referred to as the ''"evil albino" plot device''<ref name="noah1" /> or ''albino bias''.<ref name="WorldNetDaily1">[http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=32590 "Matrix makers blast charge of albino-bias — Warner Bros. says blockbuster sequel in no way demeans pigment-challenged"], by Joe Kovacs, ''WorldNetDaily'', [[May 15]], [[2003]]; accessed [[December 15]], [[2006]].</ref><ref name="ChronWatch1">[http://www.chronwatch.com/content/contentDisplay.asp?aid=2728&catcode=24 "New 'Matrix' Film Accused of Albino-Bias"], by Cinnamon Stillwell, ''ChronWatch'', [[May 16]], [[2003]]; accessed [[December 15]], [[2006]]</ref><ref name="oneness1">[http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Cold_Mountain/id/1990857 "Cold Mountain"], at ''The Global Oneness Commitment'' archive; accessed [[December 25]], [[2006]].<!--NOT A PARTICULARLY RELIABLE SOURCE; REPLACE WITH SOMETHING BETTER.--></ref>
The "evil albino" stereotype is a [[villain]] in [[fiction]] who is depicted as being albinistic (or displaying physical traits usually associated with albinism, even if the term is not used), with the specific and obvious purpose of distinguishing the villain in question from the heroes by means of appearance.<ref name="skinema4">[http://www.skinema.com/Evil3Albin1.html "Beyond the pale: Hollywood's unwritten rules for characters with albinism"], ''Skinema: Dermatology in the Cinema'', Dr. Vail Reese; accessed [[December 15]], [[2006]]</ref><ref name="noah1" /> Traits of albinism commonly associated with the evil albino stereotype include pale skin, platinum blonde hair, and blue or pink-to-red eyes. Notably absent from most depictions is impaired vision, which is experienced by most real people with albinism.<ref name="skinema1">[http://www.skinema.com/SpotMediaMatrix1.html "Furor Over ''The Matrix: Reloaded''"], ''Skinema: Dermatology in the Cinema'', Dr. Vail Reese; accessed [[December 15]], [[2006]]</ref><ref name="skinema2">[http://www.skinema.com/SpotMediaMatrix2.html "Furor Over ''The Matrix: Reloaded'' — Continued"], ''Skinema: Dermatology in the Cinema'', Dr. Vail Reese; accessed [[December 15]], [[2006]]</ref><ref name="noah1" />
The stereotype has become sufficiently well-recognised to attract satire and to be considered a [[cliché]]. In response to the "albino gunmen" characters in ''[[The Da Vinci Code (film)|The Da Vinci Code]]'' and ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]'', albinistic actor Dennis Hurley wrote, produced and starred in a [[short film]] parody, ''[[The Albino Code]]'', playing up the stereotypes, illustrating a typical example of real-world prejudice, and pointing out that the vision problems associated with albinism would make a successful career as a hitman highly improbable. In ''[[The Big Over Easy]]'', author [[Jasper Fforde]] includes an "albino community" protest against albino bias among his fictional news clippings, most of which satirize stock characters and hackneyed plot devices. ''Chicago Tribune'' movie reviewer Mark Caro says of this character type that it is someone "who looks albino and thus, in movie shorthand, must be vicious."<ref name="CTribCaro">[http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/movies/mmx-031222movies-review-mc-coldmountain,0,7819885.story "Movie review: ''Cold Mountain''"]; Caro, Mark; ''Chicago Tribune'' (online edition), date unspecified; accessed [[13 March]], [[2007]]</ref> The [[National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation]] (NOAH) has stated that there were a total of sixty-eight films from 1960 to 2006 featuring an "evil albino".<ref name="CNN-DVC">[http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/05/17/film.davinci.protests/index.html "Early viewers pan ''Da Vinci Code'': Film's release also provokes widespread protests"]; no by-line; ''CNN.com'' "Entertainment" section / ''Associated Press Newswire'', [[17 May]], [[2006]]; accessed [[13 March]], [[2007]]</ref>
Conversely, a number of real people with albinism have risen to fame ''(see "[[#Famous people with albinism|Famous people with albinism]]" section, below)'', especially in popular music (though, as in [[#autumn|the case of the Winter brothers]], may themselves be the subject of "evil albino" parody). Albino animals capture public imagination and wonder as zoo attractions, and even in the wild can attract popular, positive attention (''see "[[#Notable albino animals|Notable albino animals]]" section, below)''.
==History of the stereotype==
The "evil albino" archetype may also have its roots in folklore and mythology. Some cultures in [[Neolithic]] [[Eastern Europe]] depicted [[Death (personification)|Death]] as a pallid woman with light hair.<ref>''The Language of the Goddess'', [[Marija Gimbutas]], 1989, page 198</ref> Fear of [[vampires]] and other legendary [[undead]] with a deathly pallor, especially in European folklore, could also have contributed to albino bias. The phenomenon may also have been influenced by attitudes towards people with albinism in Africa or Jamaica, where those with that condition are sometimes regarded as cursed or magical ''(see [[#Folklore and urban legends|folklore section]], below)''. [[Dermatology|Dermatologist]] and [[Film criticism|film critic]] Dr. Vail Reese theorizes that albino bias may be part of a broader Hollywood pattern of equating or at least linking skin disorders and appearance problems with villainy.<ref name="skinema3">[http://www.skinema.com/Evil1Scars.html "Most movies that feature skin disease use it to represent evil"], ''Skinema: Dermatology in the Cinema'', Dr. Vail Reese; accessed [[December 15]], [[2006]]</ref>
Another explanation may be sought in respective ideals of beauty — most "evil albinos" appear in works of fiction from the West. In fiction from [[Japan]], where ideals call for as pale skin as possible, characters with albinism or associated traits are more frequently sympathetic<ref name="LunaEterna1">[http://www.lunaeterna.net/popcult/anime_manga.htm "Japanese Anime and Manga"], ''Albinism in Popular Culture'', by Luna Eterna, 1997–2006; accessed [[January 8]], [[2007]]</ref> than in Western fiction.<ref name="LunaEterna2">[http://www.lunaeterna.net/popcult/comics_eng.htm "American and British Comics"], ''Albinism in Popular Culture'', by Luna Eterna, 1997–2006; accessed [[January 8]], [[2007]]</ref> This is not to say that Japanese [[popular culture]] has not depicted "evil albinos". However, such characters in Japanese fiction are often ''[[bishōnen]]'' whose beautiful appearance gives contrast to their evil character. Use of albinistic features to indicate villains in Western film appears to have begun in the 1960s, and may be related to the popularity of tanning (and thus a decrease in pale skin being seen as attractive) in this period.<ref name="skinema4" />
One of the oldest perceived literary examples of albino bias was [[H.G. Wells]]'s depiction of the main character in his 1897 science-fiction novel ''[[The Invisible Man]]'', who was able to become invisible using his scientific discoveries only because he already lacked natural pigmentation; aberrant even before his experimentation, he subsequently became completely deranged, an "albino villain".{{Fact|date=March 2007}}
Albino bias is also alleged in modern times. For example, the 2003 Warner Bros movie ''The Matrix Reloaded'' featured two sociopathic characters with pale skin and white hair frequently interpreted to be albinos despite studio declarations that they are not.<ref name="skinema2" /> Positive depictions of albinos in mass culture are rarer, though one example is the 1995 film ''[[Powder (film)|Powder]]'' which depicts an exceptionally gifted albinistic youth and the cruelty he endures because of his differences from "normal" people. In recent years, the [http://www.albinism.org National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation] (NOAH) has spoken out<ref name="noah1" /> against albino bias in the United States. Albinistic actor Michael C. Bowman, of ''[[Me, Myself and Irene]]'', has said, "Kids all over this country are being affected in a very negative and harmful way because of the sloppiness and laziness of a writer in Hollywood."<ref name="skinema2" />
==Fiction==
:''Note: These lists do ''not'' include fantastic characters whose appearances are similar to albinos, but for reasons other than actual albinism (aliens, the undead, magical beings, the genetically altered, etc.) Exceptions are characters who are broadly perceived as members of the "evil albino" category due to the distinction being lost on audiences,<ref name="skinema4" /><ref name="skinema5" /> where this confusion can be [[WP:RS|reliably sourced]].''
<!--Examples of characters already removed, and which will be deleted if added again:
* Alien races, as in "Stargate: Atlantis", ''I Come in Peace", and "Star Wars: Episode II"
* Nosferatu and other flimic vampires; Solomon Grundy from "Green Lantern"; and other "living-dead"
* Various anime/manga and game characters, like Albedo Piazzolla and Wilhelm in "Xenosaga", Ramirez/Zelos in "Skies of Arcadia"; Rei Ayanami in "Neon Genesis Evangelion" (Rei is said by one NON-AUTHORITATIVE source to be an albino, but the story itself says her appearance is the result of human-alien crossbreeding); Keel Lorenz also from "Evangelion" who has white hair and poor vision simply because he is very old; Yukishiro Enishi in "Rurouni Kenshin" (turned pale by grief); and many other such chars. with white or off-white hair and sometimes even red eyes, but normal skin tone, such as Sephiroth in "Final Fantasy VII" and Dark Bakura.
* Zao, the genetically "bleached" Asian in "Die Another Day"; the virus mutants in "The Omega Man"; Geralt of Rivia in "The Witcher" series, a cat-eyed magical mutant of elvish descent.
* Superhero mutants like La Lunatica in "X-Men 2099", and Punk Rocket in "Teen Titans"
Adding such characters because you think they "might" be albinos or "should" be considered albinos is disallowed [[WP:OR|original research]].
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A number of movies, books and other works have been criticized<ref name="skinema4" /><ref name="noah1" /><ref name="skinema1" /> for '''albino bias''', as they associate the uncommon features of albinistic people (pale skin, white hair, and unpigmented eyes) with danger, terror, or criminality. Less frequently they are depicted as the harmless butt of jokes and ridicule, as maladjusted and undersocializled, or as "[[freak]]s".<ref name="skinema4" /><ref name="skinema5">[http://www.skinema.com/Evil4Albin2.html "Book two of Hollywood's rules of albinism"], ''Skinema: Dermatology in the Cinema'', Dr. Vail Reese.</ref> They may also actually be portrayed positively, even heroically – a more recent counter-trend.{{Fact|date=March 2007}}
===Villains===
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The most common depiction of people with albinism in fiction is that of the inimical, violent villain, especially the [[Contract killing|hitman]], [[Assassination|assassin]], [[Psychopathy|sociopath]] or [[crime boss]].<ref name="skinema4" /><ref name="skinema5" /><ref name="skinema1" /><ref name="skinema2" />
* [[Silas (The Da Vinci Code)|Silas]], in the book ''[[The Da Vinci Code]]'' (2003) by [[Dan Brown]], (played by [[Paul Bettany]] in the derived 2006 movie) is described as being albinistic. He is a religious fanatic and an assassin who murders several people, although 'repents' at the end of the book, praying to God for mercy and forgiveness. Critics have called the portrayal "damning", "hateful" and "cruelly stereotypical".<ref name="Softpedia1">[http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-Da-Vinci-Code-Albinos-Murderer-Depiction-Was-Slammed-19949.shtml "''The Da Vinci Code'' Albinos<small>[sic]</small> Murderer Depiction Was Slammed"]; Gheorghe, Adina; ''Softpedia Reviews'', [[20 March]] [[2006]]; accessed [[13 March]], [[2007]]</ref> In defense, author Brown has pointed out that "Silas's skin color has nothing to do with his violent nature – he is driven to violence by others' cruelty... not by anything inherent in his physiology" and that he believes "the novel's portrayal of Silas is a compassionate exploration of how difficult albinism can be – especially for young people – and how cruelly societies can ostracize those of us who look different", going on to say he considers Silas to be the most sympathetic character in the story.<ref name="Silas">[http://www.danbrown.com/novels/davinci_code/faqs.html Dan Brown's FAQ] Retrieved on [[April 21]], [[2007]].</ref>
* "[[Twins (The Matrix)|The Twins]]" (played by Adrian and Neil Rayment), in ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]'' (2003)<ref name="imdbmatrixr">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0234215/ "The Matrix Reloaded"], at IMDb</ref> are considered by detractors<ref name="skinema1" /> to be the highest-profile case of "evil albino" bias to date, though said by producers<ref name="skinema2" /> to not be intended to be taken for natural albinos. These computer software constructs are nearly-unstoppable assassin henchmen of another villain.
* "Snow" (played by [[Billy Drago]]), in ''[[Vamp (film)|Vamp]]'' (1986)<ref name="imdbvamp">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092147/ ''Vamp''], at IMDb</ref> is the violently-inclined leader of a street gang composed of albinistic people and others with appearance problems. He meets a violent end.<ref name="skinema4" />
* Joseph (played by [[Jake Busey]], son of Gary Busey; see next entry), in ''[[Contact (film)|Contact]]'' (1997)<ref name="imdbcontact">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118884/ "Contact"], at IMDb</ref> is a religious extremist turned suicide-bomber.<ref name="skinema2" />
* Mr. Joshua (played by [[Gary Busey]]), in ''[[Lethal Weapon]]'' (1987)<ref name="imdblw1">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093409/ "Lethal Weapon"], at IMDb.</ref> is a seemingly psychopathic hit man.<ref name="skinema4" /> He was specifically referred to as "albino" in the film.
*Mark Purayah/Parchezzi in ''[[Hitman: Blood Money]]'' are hit men for an agency known as "The Franchise" and are the arch nemesis of the main character Agent 47.
* Bosie (played by Charlie Hunnam),<ref name="imdbhunnam">[http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0159365/Ss/0159365/9042.jpg.html?path=pgallery&path_key=Hunnam,%20Charlie "Images of Charlie Hunnam"], IMDb</ref> in ''[[Cold Mountain (film)|Cold Mountain]]'' (2003)<ref name="imdbcoldmtn">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0159365/ "Cold Mountain"], at IMDb.</ref> is a U.S. Civil War-era "sneering albino killer ...[who] seems to have wandered in from a ''Lethal Weapon'' movie" — Ty Burr, ''Boston Globe'' review.<ref name="BGlobeBurr">[http://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=4225 "Cold Mountain Movie Review: Moving 'Mountain'"]; Burr, Ty; ''Boston Globe'' (online edition), [[25 December]], [[2003]]; accessed [[13 March]], [[2007]]</ref><ref name="skinema4" />
* "Dragon" (played by Thayer David) in the ''[[The Eiger Sanction (film)|The Eiger Sanction]]'' (1975)<ref name="imdbcontact">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072926/ "The Eiger Sanction"], at IMDb</ref> is an underworld kingpin also described as being unable to stand light and requiring frequent blood transfusions.
* [[Sephiroth (Final Fantasy)|Sephiroth]], the infamous hero-turned-psycho of [[Final Fantasy VII]], has a notably albinistic complexion due to his alien inheritance.
* "The Albino" (played by Mel Smith), in ''[[The Princess Bride]]'' (1987)<ref name="imdbpbride">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/ "The Princess Bride"], at IMDb.</ref> is an [[Igor (fictional character)|Igor]]-like [[henchman]] and torturer, depicted as diseased, with visible sores.<ref name="skinema4" />
* "Albino" (played by the genuinely albinistic [[Victor Varnado]]), in ''[[End of Days (film)|End of Days]]'' (1999)<ref name="imdbeofd">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0146675/ "End of days"], at IMDb</ref> is a menacing "servant of [[Satan in popular culture|Satan]]" who meets a grisly death.<ref name="skinema4" />
* "Satan" (played by [[Rosalinda Celentano]]), in ''[[The Passion of the Christ]]'' (2004)<ref name="LWeeklyFoundas">[http://www.laweekly.com/film+tv/film/sacred-blood/1967/ "Sacred Blood: Mel Gibson's salutary if punishing iconography"]; Foundas, Scott; ''LA Weekly (online edition)'', [[26 February]] [[2004]]; accessed [[21 March]] [[2007]]</ref> is portrayed here as an [[androgynous]], albino-like figure.
* "Whitey" Jackson a.k.a. "The Albino" (played by William Frankfather), in ''[[Foul Play]]'' (1978)<ref name="imdbfoulplay78">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077578/ "Foul Play (1978)"], at IMDb</ref> is another heavily-armed killer, this time in a comedy.<ref name="skinema4" />
* "[[Tombstone (comics)|Tombstone]]", in the ''[[Spider-man]]'' comics is an African-American with albinism. He is a mob hitman. <small>''(See [[Tombstone (comics)|main article]] for sources.)''</small>
* "[[Tobias Whale]]" a [[D.C. Comics]] [[African-American]] albinistic [[mobster]] whose villainy induces character Jefferson Pierce to become the superhero "[[Black Lightning]]". <small>''(See [[Tobias Whale|main article]] for sources.)''</small>
* Moke (played by [[Dar Robinson]]), in ''[[Stick (film)|Stick]]'' (1985)<ref name="imdbstick">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090073/ "Stick"], at IMDb.</ref> is a ruthless criminal, who likes to shoot people in the back<ref name="skinema2" /><ref name="skinema4" />
* [[Judge Holden]], in [[Cormac McCarthy]]'s ''[[Blood Meridian]]'' (published 1985; ISBN 0-394-54482-X). In McCarthy's novel, Holden is a wanton mass-murderer. There is no historical evidence to suggest that the non-fictional Holden was albinistic. <small>''(See [[Judge Holden|main article]] for further sources.''</small>
* "Albino" (played by Warrick Grier), in ''[[Freefall (film)|Freefall]]'' (1994)<ref name="imdbfreefall">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109840/ "Freefall"], at IMDb.</ref> is a menacing figure who drugs the film's heroine.<ref name="skinema4" />
* Mark Purayah (Mark II) and Mark Parchezzi (Mark III) ("the Albinos"), in ''[[Hitman: Blood Money]]'' (released 2005)<ref name="imdbhitmanbm">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0433390/ "Hitman: Blood Money (VG)"], at IMDb.</ref> are clones of an unseen Mark I, and all are assassins. <small>''(See [[Hitman: Blood Money|main article]] for further sources.)''</small>
* [[Otis B. Driftwood]] (played by [[Bill Moseley]]), in ''[[House of 1000 Corpses]]'' (2003).<ref name="imdbho1000c">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0251736/ "House of 1000 Corpses"], at IMDb</ref> leads a clan of psychopathic backwoods serial killers. Despite being played by the same actor, in the sequel ''[[The Devil's Rejects]]'' (2005)<ref name="imdbdevilrej">[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0395584/ "The Devil's Rejects"], at IMDb</ref> he has a normal skin tone. <small>''(See [[Otis B. Driftwood|main article]] for further sources.)''</small>
* [[Griffin (The Invisible Man)|Griffin]], the main character of ''[[The Invisible Man]]'' (1897) by [[H.G. Wells]] is of questionable sanity and a thief by nature, obsessed with colour and pigmentation due to his albinism. The text of Wells's novel implies that Griffin's invisibility formula works on him (and a white cat in an early experiment) only ''because'' of albinism. <small>''(See [[The Invisible Man|main article]] for sources.)''</small>
* <span id="autumn" />The Autumn Brothers, in the ''[[Jonah Hex]]'' comics are half-human villains for the main character to fight. They were thinly-disguised caricatures of real-life albinistic musician brothers, Edgar and Johnny Winter, who filed a lawsuit.<ref name="MetNewsEnt1">[http://www.metnews.com/articles/wint062002.htm "C.A. Revives Rock Stars’ Suit Over Use of Their Personae"], ''Metropolitan News-Enterprise'', [[June 20]], [[2002]]; accessed [[December 15]], [[2006]].</ref>
* "The Albino" (played by [[Bill Bolender]]) from the ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' episode "[[Blood Oath (DS9 episode)|Blood Oath]]", who is a dishonorable Klingon<ref name="MemoryAlpha1">[http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Image:The_Albino.jpg Screen-capture demonstrating that the Klingon Albino is both], from [http://www.memory-alpha.org Memory Alpha]'', [[1 December]], [[2006]]; accessed [[31 March]], [[2007]]</ref> warrior and murderer. <small>''(See [[Blood Oath (DS9 episode)|main article]] for further sources.)''</small>
* Amadeus, the [[dhampir]] antagonist of the ''Slayer'' horror series by [[Karen Koehler]] is a blind albino, as well as a vampire.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
* Dr. Robert Kirkland "Kirk" Langström, also known as the [[Man-Bat]], is depicted as being albinistic in the television series ''[[The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]]'' (which also depicts him as more villainous than other versions of the character).<ref name="Batman1"> {{cite episode| title = The Man Who Would Be Bat | series = [[The Batman (TV series)|The Batman]] | credits = Thomas Pugsley and Greg Klein (writers) | airdate = 2004-10-30 | season = 1|number = 4}} </ref> Langström's "Man-Bat" form is also depicted as being albino.<small>''(See [[Man-Bat|main article]] for further sources.)''</small>
* Kobra, an albinistic [[Motorcycle club|biker]] in [[Robert R. McCammon]]'s 1981 novel ''[[They Thirst]]'' who is depicted as sadistic and violent. He eventually becomes a commander an army of [[vampire]]s besieging [[Los Angeles]] (but was albinistic before becoming a vampire).<small>''(See [[They Thirst|main article]] for sources.)''</small>
* [[Monsieur Zenith]], a [[Pulp magazine|pulp fiction]] villain in the [[Sexton Blake]] series by Anthony Skene. Zenith is a world-weary [[gentleman thief]] who uses [[opium]], commits crimes, and feuds with Blake simply to relieve his ennui.
*The clairvoyant albino [[Juni Swan]] in [[Darren Shan]]'s ''[[The Demonata]]'' series is characterised by her deceptive and sadistic nature (as well as by her exceptional beauty, one of the characters claiming that "unconcealed evil suits her"). However, in ''[[Death's Shadow]]'', the seventh book of the series, she appears as a hideously deformed monster.
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===Subjects of ridicule, and "freaks"===
{{Unreferencedsection|date=January 2007}}
Recently, there has been an increase in the number albinistic characters who are mocked (sometimes by the actual works in which they appear, an instance of albino bias itself, and sometimes by other characters in a way that highlights albino bias.
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* "Powder", the titular character in the movie ''[[Powder (film)|Powder]]''. The name can be seen as mocking or derogatory; however the depiction can been seen as positive, in its portrayal of the effects of bias against those with albinism.<ref name="skinema5" />
* Casper, a.k.a. "Whitey" or "Q-Tip"<ref name="skinema2" /> (played by Michael C. Bowman), in ''Me, Myself and Irene'' (2000).<ref name="skinema4" /> His [[Casper the Friendly Ghost|alleged real name is as mocking]] as his nicknames. He is the subject of a good deal of ridicule, which may be accurately representative of the casual discrimination that people with albinism are often made to suffer, and is accurately depicted as having impaired vision, and is a vital friend of the main characters. The genuinely albinistic actor "somewhat regrets" taking the role: "I worried that it was sending the wrong message."<ref name="skinema2" />
* Arthur "Boo" Radley, in ''[[To Kill a Mockingbird]]'', is physically described in a way that suggests albinism, though he is also reclusive, so his light skin may be more to signify that he does not often go out in the sun. He is an object of fear and superstition to those who live around him, but his actions are generally altruistic.
* Ceecee, a character in "The Mediator" novel series by [[Meg Cabot]]. Ridiculed by her classmates. Generally portrayed fairly accurately as a person with albinism, wearing protective clothing, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses outdoors, though said to have purplish irises even though that is rare. While described supportively, as intelligent. On the other hand, Ceecee's aunt, who also has albinism, reads [[tarot cards]] and speaks with the dead.
* Harold Kline, in ''Ghost Boy'', a novel by [[Iain Lawrence]], is an albinistic youth who ran away from home and ended up working in the circus with the other "freaks", as people called them. His portrayal is supportive, but the "freak" label is not, even if accurately depicting biased attitudes.
* The hermaphrodite, in [[Federico Fellini]]'s ''[[Satyricon (film)|Satyricon]]''.<ref name="skinema4" />
* One of the ''sangomas'', or witchdoctors, in ''[[Shaka Zulu (TV series)|Shaka Zulu]]'' has albinism.{{Clarifyme|date=March 2008}}<!--In what way is this freakish or mocking? This probably should be in the "Neutral of ambiguous" section.-->
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===Neutral and ambiguous portrayals===
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{{Unreferencedsection|date=January 2007}}
Neutral and least morally uncertain depictions of persons with albinism are also somewhat common in literature and film, as anti-heroes, morally confused characters, or simply incidentally.
* "Snow", an albinistic psychic who achieves a messianic following, has his story told in ''[[Snow (album)|Snow]]'', a [[concept album]] by [[progressive rock]] band [[Spock's Beard]]. The portrayal is ambiguous and unrealistic, and the character has a stereotypical moniker.
* "U.V." or "U-Vee"{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, in the film ''[[Disturbing Behavior]]''. He is not a villain, but a [[Stoner (cannabis)|stoner]] with a stereotypical nickname that refers to his skin sensitivity, while on the other hand has a clever sense of humor, is "hip", and is well-accepted by his friends.<ref name="skinema4" />
* "The bride" (played by the genuinely albinistic<ref name="skinema6">[http://www.skinema.com/Real3Genetic.html "Realistic Characters with Genetic Conditions"], ''Skinema: Dermatology in the Cinema'', Dr. Vail Reese; accessed [[December 15]], [[2006]]</ref> Diane Costa), in ''[[Nobody's Fool (1986 film)|Nobody's Fool]]'' (1986)<ref name="imdbfool">[http://imdb.com/title/tt0091642/fullcredits#cast "Full cast and crew for ''Nobody's Fool'' (1986)"], at IMDb</ref> Depicted accurately, though possibly mostly for comedic effect, as requiring sunglasses under her veil at her outdoor wedding, and mocked behind her back as having landed a husband out of pity, but shown as engaging in a normal societal role.<ref name="skinema6" />
* Snowdie McLain, an albinistic woman, is a central character in Eudora Welty's "[[The Golden Apples]]", a book of connected stories set in Mississippi. Other characters sometimes link Snowdie's albinism to her reserved manner or her perceived helplessness.{{Clarifyme|date=March 2008}}<!--None of this exposition tells us much about the character. How is the portrayal non-positive enough that it is in the neutral/ambiguous section?-->
* [[List of X characters#Princess Hinoto|Princess Hinoto]], in the [[X (manga)|''X'' manga and TV series and ''X-1999'' movie]]. While a heroine in the original comics and movie, she becomes a villain in the follow-up television series. Has red eyes in some episodes, purplish in others. Accurately portrayed as having vision problems, but also given deaf-muteness, lameness, and psychic powers.<ref name="LunaEterna1" />
*The Grey Seers, in the [[tabletop game]] ''[[Warhammer Fantasy Battles]]'' are albinistic prophets and powerful wizards of the [[Skaven]] rat-people. While this character race are generally "evil", from their own viewpoint the albinistic Seers are venerated.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
* "Whitey" (played by [[Robert Englund]]), in ''[[Buster and Billie]]''. He dyes his hair black, but is known by his nickname, which he wears on his hat.<ref name="skinema4" />
* The detective, in ''What's the Worst that Could Happen?''<!-- (197?)-->. Like the villain in ''Foul Play'', he wears all-white suits.<ref name="skinema4" />
*Ghost, in [[George R.R. Martin]]'s ''[[A Song of Ice and Fire]]'', is an albino [[dire wolf]] trained to aid his companion [[Jon Snow]], and does so many times, as the second most frequently referred to companion animal of this sort in the story. While portrayed heroically, Ghost is said to have been the [[runt]] of his litter, and thus this novel links albinism with other unrelated conditions (cf. "The Albino" in ''The Princess Bride'' above, among others).
*El Blanco, in ''[[Tremors 3: Back to Perfection]]'', is an albino [[graboid]] that while inaccurately portrayed as being sterile as a result, otherwise behaves as any other predator of this sort in the film/TV series.
* Dave Dawson, a minor character in [[Taylor Caldwell]]'s novel ''[[God's Little Acre]]'', is an innocent albino who is kidnapped by some rural villains in the superstitious belief that he has magical powers.
* "An albino" (along with "a [[mulatto]]") features prominently in the [[refrain|chorus]] of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana's]] hit song about teenage angst and high school factionalism, "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]".
* In [[C.S. Lewis]]'s novel ''[[Out of the Silent Planet]]'', the protagonist Ransom (an Englishman visiting [[Mars]]) encounters three species of intelligent [[Martians]]. One Martian individual is unpigmented.{{Clarifyme|date=September 2007}}<!--AND...? Tell us something about the character's portrayal.-->
* Olympia Binewski, an albinistic, [[Alopecia totalis|bald]], [[Kyphosis|hunchbacked]] [[Dwarfism|dwarf]], from the 1989 novel ''[[Geek Love]]'' by [[Katherine Dunn]]. "Oly" is the narrator of the story, and as part of a family intentionally bred for defects for traveling carnival show purposes is no more or less "freakish" than the rest of the major characters; her albinism appears simply to have been selected at random by the author as a genetic abnormality to add to the list. ''(See [[Geek Love|main article]] for sources and further detail.)''{{Clarifyme|date=September 2007}}<!--This was originally filed under the heroic/positive section. What is heroic or positive about this portrayal? The [[Geek Love]] article does not give any hint, and simply being the main character doesn't necessarily mean it is positive; cf. ''[[The Jackal]]'' for a (non-albinistic) example.-->
* James, a character in ''[[Shortbus]]'', had a catchphrase, "I'm an albino!" that he used as a child star in a fictitious sitcom about a [[White people|White]] child growing up in a [[Black people|Black]] family. In the film, he has grown up, and people use "I'm an albino!" as a greeting to him at parties. He and his partner also gleefully shout the phrase while having sex. At one party, a man with albinism comes up to James and talks to him, saying "I really am an albino" (although played by [[Reg Vermue]], who has normal pigment in real life).
*Cielle, a minor character in the flash animation film ''[[Broken Saints]]'', is an albino occultist with white dreadlocks and a pink eye pigmentation who gives a prophetic tarot card reading to Raimi and Oran. Although Oran scorns her, she is not offended and claims that many people don't understand her condition.
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===Heroes and positive portrayals===
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{{Unreferencedsection|date=January 2007}}
More rarely, but with somewhat increasing frequency (perhaps as a response to concerns about the "evil albino" stereotype), persons with albinism are sometimes depicted heroically or otherwise positively, or at least accurately with regard to their condition and its medical and social results:
* [[Elric of Melniboné]], the main character of an eponymous series of fantasy novels by [[Michael Moorcock]]. <small>''(See [[Elric of Melniboné|main article]] for sources.)''</small>
*[[Beowulf Shaeffer|Beowulf "Bey" Shaeffer]], hero of several stories in [[Larry Niven]]'s [[Known Space]] series, from the planet [[We Made It]], which is populated primarily by albinistic people due to a [[founder effect]] from the original colonists. <small>''(See [[Beowulf Shaeffer|main article]] for sources.)''</small>
* Bran Davies, in "[[The Dark Is Rising]]" novel series, is a positive portrayal, but somewhat inaccurate because the character lacks any vision problems.
* Bjørn Beltø, in [[Tom Egeland]]'s Norwegian novel ''Sirkelens Ende'' pre-dates but is very similar to ''[[The Da Vinci Code]]''. Coincidentally it features an albinistic person in a positive role while the latter does the opposite.
* [[Pete White]] in ''[[The Venture Bros.]]'' animated series on "[[Adult Swim]]". An albinistic computer scientist and friend of Dr. Venture from his college years, he runs "Conjectural Technologies" with Master Billy Quizboy, Boy Genius. The name is stereotypical, but his intelligence is accentuated, and the character is not otherwise mocked.
* Misaki Saiki, an albinistic dominatrix, is the principle heroine in the ''[[Vulgar Ghost Daydream]]'' manga. She speaks to ghosts for a special government agency, but such fantasy is common in the genre. <small>''(See [[Vulgar Ghost Daydream|main article]] for sources.)''</small>
* Billy Raven of the "[[Children of the Red King]]" series is an albinistic orphan seeking adoption. Realistically, he needs eyeglasses; unrealistically, he has the magic ability to talk to animals although his supernatural abilities are said to not be related to his albinism (cf. "Snow" and "Powder", etc., above).
* Maple White, explorer and original discoverer of the plateau in [[Arthur Conan Doyle]]'s ''[[The Lost World (Arthur Conan Doyle)|The Lost World]]'' is described by [[Professor Challenger]] as having some characteristics of albinism.
* Serbitar, the noble warrior priest in [[David Gemmell]]'s novel ''[[Legend (novel)|Legend]]''.{{Clarifyme|date=September 2007}}<!--What is heroic or positive about this portrayal? Sources?-->
* In ''Sophie and the Albino Camel'' and other books by British children's author [[Stephen Mark Davies|Stephen Davies]], the hero is an albino camel called Chobbal. The animal experiences rejection by his own mother so is fed and nurtured by a young African boy. The albino camel has a cheerful and generous disposition.<ref name="Chobbal">[http://www.tes.co.uk/search/story/?story_id=2261975 "Times Educational Supplement: An Awkward Age"].</ref>
* Peter West, the protagonist and narrator of the novel ''Simple Man'', is depicted as having realistic eye problems. The character is the great-grandson of a fictional early 20th century albinistic circus performer, Angelica Georgiou. It is implied in the narrative that Angelica was very beautiful, intelligent, talented and charming in her prime. Peter is portrayed as intelligent, talented, witty, and ethical, but also very introverted, as the survivor of neglect and extreme childhood abuse by his [[schizophrenia|schizophrenic]] mother, who [[castrati|castrated]] him during a psychotic break. He is also portrayed as attractive but somewhat "strange"-looking due to a the resultant [[Castration#Medical_consequences|elongated skeleton from being castrated during prepubescence]].{{Facts|date=February 2008}}
* Whylas (played by Dennis Hurley), in ''[[The Albino Code]]'', a 2007 short film parodying ''The Da Vinci Code''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Silas (as well as the ''Matrix Reloaded'' twins). In the parody, Whylas (played by an actor who actually does have albinism) has realistic vision problems that make him hilariously incompetent as an assassin, a job he doesn't want anyway, being just a regular guy.
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Please do not uncomment this commented-out section; it is still in progress.
==Unknown; research pending==
* ?, in [[John Carpenter]]'s "[[Children of the Damned]]''<ref name="skinema5" />
* "The Hippie Albino"{{Fact|date=March 2008}} (played possibly by a real person with albinism), in ''[[Not Another Teen Movie]]'' (2001).<ref name="skinema5" />
* ''[[Treehouse of Horror VIII]]'' (''[[The Simpsons]]'' Halloween Special) (1997)
* ?, in ''[[Albino (film)|Albino]]'' (1976). (He is a violent cult leader)<ref name="skinema2" />
* ?, in ''[[The Life and Time of Judge Roy Bean]]'' (1972)
* ? (played by [[Bernie Casey]]), in ''[[Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde]]'' (1976) (a pimp).<ref name="skinema2" />
* ? (played by Victor Varnado), in ''[[The Adventures of Pluto Nash]]''<ref name="skinema2" />
* ? [is it the banjo kid?], in ''[[Deliverance]]''. (Allegedly a positive portrayal.)<ref name="skinema2" />
-->
==Folklore and urban legends==
In some cultures, people with albinism are believed in [[folklore]] to have [[Magic (paranormal)|magical]] powers or to be able to tell the future{{Fact|date=February 2007}}, a common theme in fiction as well. A [[superstition]] has recently developed in [[Zimbabwe]] that having sex with a woman with albinism will cure a man of [[HIV]]. This has led to many women with albinism in the area being [[rape]]d<ref>[http://ipsnews.net/interna.asp?idnews=14122 ipsnews.net]{{Clarifyme|date=March 2008}}<!--This is not a complete ref. citation; use {{Cite web}} to provide source details.--></ref> (and thus infected) by HIV-positive men. In [[Jamaica]], people with albinism were historically degraded, and regarded as "[[curse]]d".{{Fact|date=April 2007}} In recent times, the albinistic musicians "King [[Yellowman]]" and "[[Al Beeno]]" have helped to curb this stereotype.
==="Albino colonies" stories===
The 2004 book ''Weird N.J.''<ref name="WeirdNJ1">{{Cite book|last=Moran|first=Mark|coauthors=Sceurman, Mark|title=Weird N.J.: Your Travel Guide to New Jersey's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets|year=2003|publisher=Sterling Publications|isbn=0-760739-79-X}}</ref> (a tie-in to the [[History Channel]] TV series ''[[Weird U.S.]]'') chronicled, failed to prove, yet further popularized one of the lesser-known local [[urban legend]]s of the US, "albino colonies". The book uses firsthand accounts mailed to the authors to paint a picture of various locations in the U.S. (most notably [[Clifton, New Jersey|Clifton]], [[New Jersey]]) where aggregations of albinistic families are said to live in seclusion. The accounts tell tales of honking horns to try to bring the residents out of their houses, of gawkers being shot at by residents, and even of gangs of local albinistic [[vigilante]]s.
==Non-fiction==
===Famous people with albinism===
<!-- Please keep this list alphabetized by family name, or first nicknames if no family name given. -->
<!-- DO NOT PUT FICTIONAL CHARACTERS HERE PLEASE; that is what the [[Albino bias]] article is for (in part). -->
*[[Pierre Bourgault]], [[Québécois]] politician (This is disputed: there are pictures taken circa 1960 that show him with dark hair and dark eyebrows, but possibly the result of dye.) {{Fact|date=February 2007}}
*[[Michael Bowman]], actor (''[[Me, Myself & Irene]]'')<ref name="SARA-FP" />
*[[Connie Chiu]], photo model for [[Jean-Paul Gaultier]]<ref name="seemain" />
*[[Cano Estremera]], [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican]] [[salsa music|salsa]] musician<ref name="seemain" />
*[[Tony Evans (journalist)|Tony Evans]], American newspaper columnist<ref name="SARA-FP" />
*[[Yellowman|Winston "Yellowman" Foster]] (also known as "King Yellowman"), Jamaican [[dancehall]] musician
*[[Brooke Fox]], American singer-songwriter<ref name="Fox">{{Cite web|last=Fox|first=Brooke|url= http://www.brookefox.com/ |title=Biography|work=BrookeFox.com|accessdate=2008-04-26|year=2005}}</ref>
*[[G Harishankar]], [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] ''khanjira'' drummer<ref name="seemain" />
*[[Dennis Hurley]], American producer, actor (''[[The Albino Code]]'', ''[[Running with Scissors (film)|Running with Scissors]]''), writer, comedian and singer<ref name="SARA-FP" />
*[[Stanley Kaoni]] (also known as "Sataan"), former [[Solomon Islands|Solomon Islander]] militant leader (Kaoni has light blonde hair and pale facial skin with some evidence of vitiligo, and appears to have developed some pigmentation especially on the arms; his particular type of albinism is likely to be OCA1b.)<ref name="">[http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0206/S00093.htm "Images: NZ Leaves Solomon Islands", from New Zealand Defence Force press release, published in ''Scoop Indepenent News''] (online edition); [[June 26]], [[2002]]; Wellington, New Zealand; accessed [[January 8]], [[2007]]. Includes photo of Kaoni.</ref><ref name="SARA-FP" />[[Image:Stanley Sataan Kaoni.jpg|thumb|right|Stanley "Sataan" Kaoni, 2002]]
*[[Salif Keita]], [[Mali]]an popular musician<ref name="seemain" />
*[[Krondon]], underground [[rap music|rapper]] from south-central [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]], [[California]].
*[[Li Yipeng]], [[Lee Hsien Loong]]'s son<ref name="SARA-FP">{{Cite web|url= http://www.sara-foundation.com/famous_people.htm |title="Famous People with Albinism"|work=SARA-Foundation.com|publisher=Supporting Albinism Research and Awareness|year=2005|location=Campbell, California|accessdate=2008-04-26|last=Centers|first=S.}}</ref>
*[[Malford Milligan]], American blues and [[Soul music|soul]] singer<ref name="Bianca-artists">[http://www.knowlton-family.co.uk/Albinism/bianca.htm ''Albinism Through the Eyes of Bianca''], by Bianca Knowlton, [[Bournemouth, England|Bournemouth]], [[England]], [[12 February]] [[2007]]; [http://www.knowlton-family.co.uk/Albinism/film_atist/credit_link.htm specfic page here]</ref>
*[[Al Beeno|Corrie "Al Beeno" Moodie]] (also known as "Prince Yellowman"), Jamaican dancehall musician now living in Canada<ref name="seemain">''see main article on person or topic mentioned for sources''</ref>
*Mem Nahadr (a.k.a. "M"), American [[performance art]]ist, composer and jazz vocalist<ref name="M">{{Cite web|url= http://www.madwoman2.com/ |last=Nahadr|first=Mem ("M")|title="Biography"|work=MadWoman2.com|year=2007|accessdate=2008-04-26}}</ref>
*[[Brother Ali|Ali "Brother Ali" Newman]], a [[hip hop music|hip hop]] emcee from [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]]
*[[Hermeto Pascoal]], Brazilian jazz musician
*[[Piano Red|Willie "Piano Red" Perryman]], American [[blues music|blues]] musician<ref name="seemain" />
*[[TK Radhakrishnan]], Carnatic flutist<ref name="Sruti">"[http://www.sruti.com/mar02/marmain.html G. Harishankar — Khanjira Maestro Without Equal]", by Manna Srinivasan, ''Sruti'' magazine #210 (online edition); March, 2002; Chennai, India — Harishankar obituary article</ref>
*[[Nestor Sánchez]], Cuban singer<ref name="SARA-FP" />
*[[Emperor Seinei|Seinei]], 22nd [[Emperor of Japan]] (5th century)
*[[Ali Şengöz]], Turkish radio [[disc jockey|DJ]]
*[[William Archibald Spooner]], [[Anglican]] priest<ref name="seemain" />
*[[Darnell Swallow]], contestant in the UK's [[Big Brother 2008 (UK)|Big Brother 2008]].
*[[Victor Varnado]], [[African American]] [[stand-up comedy|stand-up comedian]] and actor.<ref name="seemain" />
*[[Levan Wee]], lead singer of [[Ronin (band)|Ronin]], a Singaporean band<ref name="Wee">{{Cite web|url= http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=88180430&MyToken=0d515394-8617-4174-9f83-186b8582e4ef |last=Wee|first=Levan|title=Levan Wee Profile|work=MySpace.com|accessdate=2008-04-16}} (his homepage)</ref>
*[[Redford White]], Filipino actor and comedian
*[[Edgar Winter]] and [[Johnny Winter]], American [[blues-rock]] musician brothers<ref name="seemain" />
*[[David Wrench (singer)|David Wrench]], [[Wales|Welsh]]-born [[electronic music]]ian<ref name="BBCWrench1">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/davidwrench/ "David Wrench"], BBC Wales — Music, ''bbc.co.uk''; accessed [[11 March]], [[2007]]</ref><ref name="BBCWrench2">[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/davidwrench/pages/biography.shtml "David Wrench Biography"], BBC Wales — Music, ''bbc.co.uk'', retrieved [[11 March]] [[2007]]</ref>
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===People commonly mistaken to have albinism===
[[Roy Orbison]] was falsely said to be albinistic, by his widow, for unknown reasons.<ref name="Orbison">[http://oldies.about.com/od/60srockers/p/royorbison.htm Oldies Music Guide Profile: Roy Orbison], by Robert Fontenot, [[About.com]]; accessed [[January 27]], [[2007]].</ref> German singer [[Heino]] has [[Graves disease]], which can be mistaken for albinism. Actor [[Anthony Rapp]] fronts a rock band called Albinokid, but is not albinistic, being a normally pigmented [[White people|Caucasian]]. London mayor [[Boris Johnson]], known for his pale hair, has also been mistakenly called albino. In general, platinum blonde ("tow-headed)" people with fair skin can be mistaken for albinistic (and conversely, some forms of albinism can result in [[phenotypes]] so normal-looking that only genetic testing can reveal the albinistic genes).
===Notable albino animals===
[[Image:snowdrop.penguin.600pix.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Snowdrop, an albino African Penguin, born at Bristol Zoo (England). Snowdrop would otherwise have looked like the background penguins]]
An albino [[humpback whale]] called [[Humpback whale#Migaloo|Migaloo]] ([[Indigenous Australian languages|Australian Aboriginal]] for "white lad") travels the east coast of Australia, and has become famous in the local media.<ref name="MigalooSite">[http://www.migaloowhale.org/ ''MigalooWhale.org''], Pacific Whale Foundation; [[Maui, Hawaii|Maui]], [[Hawaii]], USA, 2007; accessed [[11 April]], [[2007]].</ref><ref name="SMH1">[http://www.smh.com.au/news/Environment/Stormy-seas-for-Migaloo-and-friends/2005/04/19/1113854200051.html "Stormy seas for Migaloo and friends"]; Darby, Andrew; ''Sydney Morning Herald'', [[Sydney, Australia|Sydney]], [[Australia]], [[20 April]], [[2005]]; accessed [[11 April]], [[2007]]</ref> [[Bristol Zoo]] was the home to a very rare albino [[African penguin]] named Snowdrop, who was hatched at the zoo in October 2002 and died in August 2004.<ref name="BBCNews1">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2572205.stm "Albino Penguin 'One-in-a-million'"], no by-line, ''BBC News'' (online edition), [[13 December]], [[2002]], accessed [[11 April]], [[2007]].</ref><ref name="BBCNews2">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/bristol/somerset/3579986.stm "Zoo's Rare Albino Penguin Is Dead"], no by-line, ''BBC News'' (online edition), [[19 August]], [[2004]], accessed [[11 April]], [[2007]].</ref> For many years, a unique albino [[gorilla]] named [[Floquet de Neu]] in [[Catalan language|Catalan]] and Copito de Nieve in Spanish (both meaning "Snowflake"), was the most famous resident of the Parc Zoològic de [[Barcelona]].<ref name="FloquetDeNeu.es">[http://www.floquetdeneu.es/Eng/Homeeng.html ''FloquetDeNeu.es''], Parc Zoològic de [[Barcelona]], date of publication unknown (no earlier than [[24 November]], [[2003]]; accessed [[11 April]], [[2007]].</ref>
Perhaps the most significant albino animal in history was [[Mocha Dick]], a [[sperm whale]] of the early 19th century that lived mostly near the island of [[Mocha (island)|Mocha]], off [[Chile]]'s southern [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]] coast, several decades before [[Herman Melville]] fictionalized him in the 1851 novel ''[[Moby-Dick]]'' (however, the book's caricature was not albinistic, and simply had a white hump for unexplained reasons). The real whale was renowned for being docile until attacked whereupon he became ferocious and capable of disabling smaller vessels. This made him widely feared among [[whaler]] crews, though also a target for adventurous captains, who engaged him in possibly as many as hundred or more sea battles before he was eventually killed. While few know of the real whale today, the novel inspired by him is ranked among the most important in the English language.{{Main|Mocha Dick|Moby-Dick}}
==See also==
* [[Albinism]]
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
* [http://www.lunaeterna.net/popcult ''Albinism in Popular Culture''] website
* [http://www.skinema.com/AlbinismList2005.html Comprehensive list of movie characters with albinism]
* [http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,58599,00.html "Pale Riders Who Wear Black Hats"] — ''Wired News'' article on albinism in cinema
* [http://www.albinism.org NOAH, National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation]
* [http://sd.gospelcom.net/072.html Biblical references] - [[William Blake]]'s "Ancient of Days" was based upon the "Revelation of John", 1:14: "His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire"
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0351461/ ''Nói Albínói''] movie info at IMDB; this 2003 Icelandic film, "Nói the Albino", tells the story of an albinistic teenager in a remote village, dreaming of fleeing this isolation (literal and metaphorical) with his sweetheart. It is available on DVD with subtitles.
[[Category:Albinism in popular culture| ]]
[[Category:Animals in popular culture]]
[[Category:Prejudice and discrimination]]