The sad truth is not many people know about vitiligo and the silent struggle associated with it. In his book, Turning White: A Memoir of Change, Lee Thomas does a great job of explaining how the skin disorder not only affects the skin, but an individual’s self-esteem and daily life.
The incredible memoir will inspire you to overcome all obstacles thrown in your path. You will indeed call Lee Thomas your hero. Unite For Vitiligo unlock 3 reasons why you should read Turning White: A Memoir of Change.
1. Interesting read
In author Lee Thomas own words, Turning White is one black man’s story that is all about skin color, yet has absolutely nothing to do with racism. The fact that the author is an entertainment reporter at a news channel can instantly amplify your interest. In his thought-provoking memoir, Emmy Award-winning TV broadcaster shares the physical and mental battle he is waging with vitiligo.
2. A relatable story
At age 25, Lee had a dream job as an entertainment reporter in New York. Then, in 1996, he discovered a few white spots on his scalp, which would soon spread to half of his face. Currently residing in Detroit, Lee regularly went to Hollywood to chat with the stars. While dealing with the glamor and stars, he never thought the toughest story to tell would be his own. Lee describes his vitiligo story with honesty and openness.
The book is illustrated with a series of photos showing the progression of Lee’s vitiligo. We liked the message conveyed in the book that you should go out and live your life on your own terms. The problem is those people who can’t handle your appearance, not you. This book will help many people with vitiligo, especially young ones, who are trying not to let the skin condition limit their lives.
3. Brave Content
It is a short read and does have not mind-blowing writing, but as far as the content of the book is concerned, it is informative and brave. The author is very upfront about what it is like to be a black man going white. “Even people who have known me for years avoid eye contact when they see my face without makeup for the first time,” he writes in the book.
It is an interesting account on what it’s like when the body you live in begins to turn against you. Through Lee talks very briefly about his personal relationships, but he does not shy away from highlighting the struggle of dating with vitiligo.
What we missed in the book
Lee Thomas’s Turning White provides rare insight into what it is like to have severe vitiligo. The author shows courage in revealing his disfigurement to the public. However, the book remains brief, without enough details on Thomas’s feelings as his vitiligo progresses, and with little information on the reaction of those close to him.
Turning White also suffers from a lack of detail, in part because the author is leaving out names and identifying characteristics of some people, also some bits too quickly pass over. It probably would have made a better essay than a book. An editor could also rectify uneven transitions from one incident to another, omitted words, and typos.