AAUW hosts author Linda Pennington Black

The branch was recently pleased to host author Linda Pennington Black, who discussed her latest book, “Sanaa: The Golden Princess.”

The book, a fictional story bookended by factual prologue and epilogue, is about a young girl born in Tanzania with albinism – a genetic condition that affects the pigmentation of the skin, eyes and hair due to the lack of melanin. The condition is widespread in Africa, and people with albinism often face overwhelming challenges – not just medical challenges, but fear of oppression and even slaughter.

Black became interested in the subject after doing a DNA test and learning that some of her ancestors came from sub-Saharan Africa. She started doing research of her own, became particularly interested in Tanzania, and eventually “hit on albinism.” In Tanzania, the incidence of albinism is 1 in 3,000, whereas in the U.S. it affects around 1 in 18,000 to 20,000.

Black described the various types of albinism and screened a video detailing the work of activists to combat the medical issues facing people with albinism, as well as the superstitions surrounding the disorder which have led to the maiming and slaughter of innocent people.

People with albinism (PWA), as they prefer to be called (rather than albinos), have low vision and usually die young – the main cause of death is skin cancer. Some clinics have been established in recent years, distributing basic items like hats, umbrellas, sunscreens and sunglasses.

Families are often encouraged to kill their children with albinism or sell them to witch doctors, who use their body parts in “traditional” healing.

The story relates Sanaa’s escape from Tanzania after her adoption by missionary parents, who bring her to the United States. Sanaa returns to Tanzania in search of her biological family and faces the same challenges that prompted her escape in the first place.

The book has photographs that illustrate the beautiful people and landscapes of the area.

Black is an author, poet and speaker – you can follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lindawriteright/.