Turning Point: Chinese Boy Diagnosed with Vitiligo Following Teacher's Assault

Chinese woman claims her son developed vitiligo after being slapped by a teacher

A Chinese woman has shared that her son Liu, who is 11 years old and attends Yifu Primary School in southwest China's Yunnan province, has developed vitiligo. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder that leads to patches of the skin losing pigment. This development occurred after a teacher reportedly slapped Liu multiple times on his face for failing to complete his mathematics homework, as reported by South China Morning Post.

Details of the Incident

According to the article, Liu informed his mother that the teacher struck him in front of the entire class, hitting him thrice on the right side of his face and once on the left. Approximately three months after this physical altercation, the boy began noticing white patches appearing on his skin. His concerned mother took him to a medical facility, where he was diagnosed with vitiligo. While the exact causes of vitiligo are not entirely clear, researchers speculate that stress and trauma may act as potential triggers for this condition.

Impact of Vitiligo

Individuals with vitiligo, as detailed by the National Institutes of Health, often experience feelings of anxiety or depression. This emotional struggle may stem from the discrimination they encounter in social settings due to misconceptions surrounding the disorder, such as the mistaken belief that it is contagious.

Public Reaction and Legal Framework

In China, corporal punishment is prohibited by law, although incidents of such misconduct still surface. Liu's case has garnered significant attention on social media platforms within the country, sparking outrage among netizens. Pictures of the young boy have been circulated on platforms like Weibo and Douyin.

Seeking Justice

Liu's mother is reportedly eager to reach out to the teacher in question with the expectation that she will cover the expenses incurred during her son's medical treatment.

Amidst this incident, it is noteworthy that video game performers have successfully negotiated agreements with 80 games, which have agreed to the terms outlined in interim or tiered budget agreements with the performers' union, including the incorporation of artificial intelligence provisions they had been advocating for.