Fall for the Book: GMU Alumnus Talks About 'Turning White'

At the age of 25 Lee Thomas was working in his dream job as an entertainment reporter for a TV station, when he discovered a few white spots on his scalp, and thought that his dream would soon be over.

In 1996, Thomas was diagnosed with vitiligo, a disorder in which pigment-making cells are destroyed and white patches appear on different parts of the body, tissues in the mouth and nose. It's the same disease that Michael Jackson had, which caused a lifetime of "turning white" jokes for the singer.

Now 42, and white patches on half his face and body, Thomas is an anchor on the No. 1 morning show in Detroit, as well as a hero to many.

"You look at my face and you wouldn't think that this man standing in front of you is an anchor," Thomas said. "This country that is so obsessed with looks, you would think a face like this could not be sustainable on television, but I am, and am very happy with my job and life."

Still, when people first look at Thomas, they often turn away. He's used to being stared out, sometimes pitied and has even heard screams of horror from a young child. But Thomas just smiles through it all and hopes that those people will be educated and human, and realize that he's just a man with a disease.

"There is no cause. There is no cure, and it's very random," Thomas said. "I could turn all the way white or mostly white."

Thomas has written a book about his journey, "Turning White: A Memoir of Change," and has become a celebrity spokesman for the National Vitiligo Foundation.

On Sunday, Sept. 19, Thomas appeared at the Mason Inn at George Mason University to talk about his book and life. Sponsored by the school's African American Studies program, a full house was on hand to hear Thomas—a George Mason alumnus—talk about the disease.

"His book is just not a story about his struggle with the disease, it is also a very powerful and poignant tale about his life and journey, learning about the blessings and challenges of vitiligo," said Wendi Manuel-Scott, Director of African and African American Studies at the school. "His heartfelt story is one that is very important to many."

Although Thomas read short excerpts from the book, most of his talk consisted of memorable stories from his life and he was entertaining and thought provoking as he told his tale. Calling his ongoing struggle, "the war within," Thomas shared the physical and mental battle he is waging with vitiligo.

"Almost like a feather in the wind, there are moments in life that can make your life go in a new direction," Thomas said. "For me, it was a conversation with a 15-year-old boy."

Afraid that people couldn't accept his condition on screen, Thomas wore makeup when he did his broadcasts, and believed that those who wanted him to go on screen "as is" were just after ratings.

One day this boy, who also had the disease, told him, "If you show people what you look like, maybe people would treat me different."

That opened Thomas' eyes to the fact that he could make a difference for others by using his celebrity. He told his story on camera in a 3-minute news clip; that led to a 30-minute documentary, and that led to the book.

"Soon, Larry King, the godfather of news called, and wanted to talk to me," Thomas said. "Then Ellen called, Montel Williams and 20/20. Everything was happening."

Thomas no longer wears makeup for his TV reports and over the past year has traveled to cities such as London and Milan to interview a virtual who's who of celebrities, including Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep and George Clooney; the latter expressing his encouragement for the work that Thomas is doing. 

"I have had the opportunity to tour the world and share my story and it's become the biggest story I have ever been part of or talked about," Thomas said. "It's become life changing, setting a series of events I never would have thought possible and made me into the man I am today, and I'm very proud of that."

Check back for ongoing coverage of the Fairfax-GMU event, Fall for the Book. Click here for speaker schedules.