Hazel gripped the microphone with both hands, and her voice shook only a little. “Before we go home, I want to talk about my dress,” she said. “A lady told everyone it would make a good rag for the cleaning lady. I am proud of that, because my mom is a cleaning lady.” A few parents gasped, and my face burned. Hazel was not angry. She was brave.

“My mom cleans this school every night after her day job,” Hazel continued. “Last month, Mrs. Vanessa told the principal that a cleaner stole her diamond bracelet from this auditorium, and the cleaners almost lost their jobs.” Vanessa’s smile froze. Hazel looked straight at her. “My mom found the bracelet. She did not keep it. She did not tell anyone, because she thought nobody would ever say sorry.”