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"id": 947428,
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"speaker_name": "Sen. Mwaura",
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"legal_name": "Isaac Maigua Mwaura",
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"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it says that we, in Africa, have a great opportunity to teach the rest of the world how to include persons with albinism. We should not assume that just because a country is a super power, that they know it all; they do not. This is because those people are not used to seeing high level officials who can attend the UN General Assembly and happen to have albinism. We, therefore, need to ensure that we fight that feeling of unwantedness, illegitimacy and the coercion to apologize for just being there. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream one day that little black boys would be able to hold hands with little white girls. This, indeed, has come to pass in our own lifetime. He, however, possibly could never imagine about the chronic discrimination of persons with albinism; a people who are born white and treated the same no matter their race, religion, ethnic origin, societal status or achievement. For in the business of cherry picking, as exemplified by the rhetoric of racist administration of President Trump and others, the resultant disillusional behavior of the Secret Service, they are left out as the bad ones and the misfits who are a threat to both the nation and international security. Indeed, the anonymous desiderata urges us that we should go silently amidst the noise of the people. However, at times one is rudely awakened by the reality that you have got to stand up and fight for your space and rights, as you too are human, just like your oppressor, who only thinks that they have more rights due to their position, power or privilege. You have got to stand up for your rights because by doing so, you are helping to educate your oppressor by reminding him of his own humanity and deconstruct his own infallibilities. By doing so, you are helping to break the invisible barriers that exist amongst us; a people united by destiny and whose superficial differences mask the very humanity that we share. As Abraham Lincoln, who abolished slavery said: “Sinning by keeping silent makes cowards of men.” Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to say this clearly. Africa, a continent that suffered slavery and discrimination; a land that has witnessed the ritual killings of persons with albinism in so many countries, must rise to demonstrate to the world that people who look like me can have a seat at the table. That instead of being turned away at the gates of palaces and places such as the UN General Assembly and in between queens and heads of states, they too shall one day occupy such positions and residences to address gatherings and deliver speeches in fulfillment of the human duty; that of making the world a better place than they found it. That they, too, shall have the confidence and validity to inspire others to attain the highest possible ideals of human excellence and endeavor--- Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am finishing, please, kindly. No child born today shall be turned away at the gates of opportunity because they are judged to be less deserving and not worthy of respect, honour and dignity. As Nelson Mandela said: “When you climb a hill, you realise that there are several others to climb.” Many are the times that people ask where we are from or stare at us questioningly trying to put us into boxes that we may not fit or those that are familiar to them. I say to The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}