Albinism is an inherited medical condition resulting in a lack of pigment throughout a person's body. People with albinism (PWA) generally have very light blonde hair, fair eyes, and extremely fair skin. In addition to various vision problems and a severe sensitivity to the sun, PWA often greatly suffer from stigmatizing attitudes based on their physical appearance. Twentieth Century Fox's film, "The Heat," contains numerous derogatory comments and jokes about a character with albinism. These lines perpetuate harmful myths about and stigmatizing attitudes toward PWA. If such debasing dialogue were used about most other groups of people regarding their shared physical characteristics resulting from a medical condition, the lines would likely never make it to the screen. I recognize that there is limited awareness about the medical condition albinism and the people who have it, which is why I am starting this petition. One in 17,000 people in the U.S. has albinism. It is my intention and hope that Twentieth Century Fox will stop making films that degrade people with albinism due to the physical characteristics of their medical condition.
-- To:
Chris Petrikin, EVP, Corporate Communications, 20th Century Fox Film
Chris Petrikin, EVP, Corporate Communications, 20th Century Fox Film
Stop Making Movies that Degrade People with Albinism
I was shocked and dismayed to learn that Twentieth Century Fox's movie, "The Heat," starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, contains a spate of derogatory jokes and comments about a character with albinism. Albinism is an inherited, genetic, medical condition that results in little or no pigment in a person's skin, hair, and eyes. People with albinism (a term preferred to the word albino, which limits a person to being defined only by their medical condition) often have platinum blond hair, very light eyes, and extremely fair skin. In addition to having a variety of vision problems – often severe – and acute sensitivity to sun exposure, people with albinism often encounter stigma and discrimination. Sadly, jokes and comments debasing people with albinism in "The Heat" perpetuate harmful stereotypes. If such debasing dialogue were used about most other groups of people regarding their shared physical characteristics resulting from a medical condition, the lines would likely never make it to the movie screen. I recognize that albinism is not widely understood, and Twentieth Century Fox might not have realized just how derisive and degrading the movie's comments about people with albinism are. However, I hope you will do the right thing in this situation, now that you are aware of it, and ensure harmful stereotypes against people with albinism no longer find a place in your movies.
I was shocked and dismayed to learn that Twentieth Century Fox's movie, "The Heat," starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, contains a spate of derogatory jokes and comments about a character with albinism. Albinism is an inherited, genetic, medical condition that results in little or no pigment in a person's skin, hair, and eyes. People with albinism (a term preferred to the word albino, which limits a person to being defined only by their medical condition) often have platinum blond hair, very light eyes, and extremely fair skin. In addition to having a variety of vision problems – often severe – and acute sensitivity to sun exposure, people with albinism often encounter stigma and discrimination. Sadly, jokes and comments debasing people with albinism in "The Heat" perpetuate harmful stereotypes. If such debasing dialogue were used about most other groups of people regarding their shared physical characteristics resulting from a medical condition, the lines would likely never make it to the movie screen. I recognize that albinism is not widely understood, and Twentieth Century Fox might not have realized just how derisive and degrading the movie's comments about people with albinism are. However, I hope you will do the right thing in this situation, now that you are aware of it, and ensure harmful stereotypes against people with albinism no longer find a place in your movies.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
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