An interracial couple has shared the distressing reality that their daughter, who has albinism, has been subjected to disgusting racial abuse due to the color of her skin.
Marwa Houma, a 33-year-old white woman from Croydon, South London, and her civil partner, Malcolm John, a 60-year-old man of black Caribbean heritage, have a daughter named Julia-Marie. Born with fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes, Julia-Marie was later diagnosed with albinism, a rare condition affecting one in every 17,000 people.
Marwa revealed that strangers often struggle to accept Malcolm as their daughter's father, casting judgmental stares and treating him as if he has "kidnapped" the baby. Julia-Marie has faced horrific abuse due to her appearance.
Marwa shared her experiences, saying, "Every time I take Julia outside, people don't look at me because I'm fair-skinned, but when they look at Malcolm with Julia, it's like 'what's that man doing with that baby?'" She added, "People would stare at him as though he kidnapped the baby, and I felt for him, but he couldn't express it."
The couple's little girl has encountered vile racial slurs and discrimination. Marwa recounted an incident at a hospital where the staff doubted Malcolm's role as Julia's father, even requesting confirmation from Marwa. She also reported a hate crime after their daughter was called a "white monkey."
Disturbed by these experiences, Marwa decided to keep Julia indoors, shielding her from the intimidation. However, she hopes to raise awareness about albinism and combat the discrimination faced by individuals with the condition.
Marwa emphasized the importance of understanding albinism, debunking misconceptions, and promoting acceptance. She highlighted that racism exists in every race and urged everyone to stand up against it.
Despite the challenges Julia-Marie has faced, she has embarked on a successful baby modeling career, attracting fans from around the world. Marwa's ultimate goal is to increase awareness and foster a more inclusive society, where individuals with albinism are treated with respect and understanding.
