It's funny that something so common place could be so completely unknown to so many Americans.
Gabika has a blue tinged birth mark on her lower back. These are known as Mongolian spots and are very common in non-white children. In fact, according to the UK's National Health Service:
"Mongolian blue spots are rare in children of white European background, but very common in children of African, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean or Asian background. As many as three-quarters of children from these ethnic groups are born with Mongolian blue spots." The typically develop on the baby's lumbar region or their bottom but disappear on their own by the time the child is school aged. It can be very blue- like this baby
It's interesting that nearly 75% of non-white babies are born with a Mongolian spot, but that they are still mistaken for a bruise many people who work with children, Gabika's teacher sent her to the nurse because she was concerned about the mark, luckily the nurse is not white and recognized the mark right away. There is little awareness of these spots by Caucasian Americans, and the color and location would indicate bruising and abuse.
The children in the school are predominately not white, so I am glad that the teacher is aware of these birthmarks. But as a former employee of this school district, I am glad to see that principals and social workers are now taking teacher's concerns about the safety of their students' home circumstances more seriously. Even if they have to ruffle a few feathers.
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