White Ebony

Just as the 'black continent' is nothing like as monochrome as our stereotyped ideas of it, so neither are the skin tones of its inhabitants. One variant, however, here more than elsewhere, marks people out as misfits: very white skin, unusually light hair colour, blue or green eyes. This congenital metabolic disease is called albinism. People with albinism (PWA) often are visually impaired and need special protection from the sun. Most of all they suffer from social stigmatisation. So it is little short of a miracle how courageously and confidently that the PWA of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, try to overcome their role as outsiders. Lead by the famous Congolese albino wrestler, Mwimba Texas, they demand to be treated with respect. In her photographs Patricia Willocq helps boost the self-assurance of people with albinism in the Congo. Her photo report is a testimony to hope, courage, love and success to give them the dignity they deserve.