Dark Skin Bruises Differently

With the deadline to complete all student reports looming, Ms Lawson – a black primary school teacher – is sat in an end of term student assessment meeting with other senior members of staff. The teachers are deep in discussion assessing each student’s progress when one child’s name comes up – Maria Obasi. Things turn prickly as it becomes clear to Ms Lawson that Maria is quite the divisive figure amongst her colleagues.

Maria’s recent strange behaviour – as well as a previous serious allegation – pits Ms Lawson against the room. Lawson tries to encourage staff to recognise Maria’s
vulnerability (something she knows is often disregarded when it comes to black children) however her efforts are challenged when a new allegation concerning Maria – an allegation that incriminates Ms Lawson herself – is brought to light.

Can Ms Lawson continue to protect Maria when she has potentially put her job on the line? Or must she accept that whilst pain and abuse is universal, people ultimately don’t see ‘black bruises’ in the same way?