July 1 2025 Newsletter
1. “I Didn’t Know I Had a Right to an Interpreter” by Fatima Rahimi
When I was 13, I had to go with my dad to a government office to renew his immigration paperwork. The forms were confusing, and the staff spoke fast. My dad speaks basic English, but not enough to understand legal documents. I tried to translate, but I wasn’t sure about a lot of the words. One of the workers even told me I wasn’t allowed to be there, even though no interpreter was offered.
Later, I learned that under Executive Order 13166 and Title VI, agencies that receive federal funding must provide language access services. My dad had a legal right to an interpreter that day, but no one told us. It made me realize how easy it is for people to be denied help just because they don’t know what the law promises them.
2. “We Were Searched Without a Reason” by Isaiah Brooks
In ninth grade, my friends and I were stopped by a school security guard while walking through the hallway during lunch. He told us he had “heard something” and asked to search our bags. We didn’t know we could say no, so we just handed them over. They didn’t find anything, and we never got an explanation.
Months later in government class, we talked about the Fourth Amendment and how students still have some protections against unreasonable searches. I realized we had the right to ask why or even say no if there wasn’t a good reason. That experience stuck with me — not because I had anything to hide, but because I didn’t know I had the right to question what was happening.
3. “My Brother Got Suspended, But I Didn’t” by Jamar King
In seventh grade, my brother and I were both late to school a bunch of times. We live in the same house and take the same bus. But after a few weeks, he got an in-school suspension, and I just got a warning. My brother is darker-skinned than I am. At first, we thought it was just random, but then we started wondering if something else was going on.
After learning about discriminatory discipline under Title VI, I realized that schools are not allowed to discipline students unfairly based on race. What happened to my brother might not have been on purpose, but it wasn’t fair. It made me want to learn more about students’ rights and how to report things when something feels off.
4. “I Thought I Could Get Fired Just for Being Myself” by Jordan Lin
The summer after sophomore year, I got my first job at a clothing store. I was nervous to come out as nonbinary at work, so I didn’t say anything. I was scared I’d get fired or treated differently. One of my coworkers made jokes about pronouns, and I just laughed it off even though it made me uncomfortable.
Then, I found out that under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, it’s illegal to discriminate against someone based on gender identity. That changed everything for me. I still didn’t come out to everyone, but I started standing up for myself more. Knowing the law didn’t fix everything, but it gave me some ground to stand on.
5. “My Friend Was Sent Home for Her Braids” by Zariah Thompson
In sixth grade, my friend was told she had to take her braids out because they were "too distracting." I remember how embarrassed she looked walking out of school early. I didn’t say anything then, but I felt uncomfortable about it.
Last year, I read about the CROWN Act, which protects people from discrimination based on hair texture and protective styles. My friend’s braids weren’t breaking any rules—they just weren’t accepted by the school. That moment made me realize how something as simple as a hairstyle can become a legal issue. I wish I had spoken up back then.
6. “They Tried to Evict Us, but the Notice Was Illegal” by Ricardo Alvarez
During the pandemic, my mom got behind on rent after losing one of her jobs. One day, we found an eviction notice taped to our door. It looked serious, but my older sister said something felt off. She checked online and found out that under the COVID-19 eviction moratorium, our landlord wasn’t allowed to evict us at that time.
She called legal aid, and they confirmed the notice was invalid. If we hadn’t looked it up, we might have just left. That experience taught me that sometimes, landlords break the law and hope you won’t notice. I realized that not knowing your housing rights can cost you your home.
7. “I Didn’t Know Title IX Protected Me Too” by Kayla Simmons
A boy in my science class kept making inappropriate comments toward me. I told a teacher once, but nothing really happened. For weeks, I just tried to avoid him and stay quiet.
Then we learned in health class that Title IX doesn’t just apply to sports—it also protects students from sexual harassment. I went to the school counselor with that information, and suddenly people started taking it seriously. Knowing the law gave me a voice I didn’t think I had before.
8. “My Friend Got Taken In by ICE — But He Was a U.S. Citizen” by Mateo Vargas
When I was 14, one of my classmates, Luis, didn’t show up to school for a week. We later found out he’d been picked up during an ICE raid at his house. His parents were undocumented, but Luis was born here. He was a citizen. Still, he was held for almost two days before being released.
At the time, none of us understood how that could even happen. Later, I read about cases where ICE detained citizens by mistake, and how people have the right to a lawyer—even if they’re being questioned by immigration. It was a wake-up call about how dangerous it is when rights aren’t respected—or even known.
9. “I Didn't Know My Job Was Breaking Labor Laws” by Chloe Becker
I worked at a frozen yogurt shop when I was 16. My manager kept scheduling me for 30+ hours a week during the school year, and I didn’t get breaks on busy days. I thought it was just part of having a job.
In economics class, we learned about child labor laws, and I realized my schedule was illegal. I brought it up to my manager, and things got better—but it made me realize how many teens get taken advantage of just because they don’t know their rights.
10. “The School Blocked Our Newspaper Article” by Rashida Owens
In journalism class, we wrote an article about how our school handles bullying. Our teacher was supportive, but the principal said we couldn’t publish it in the school paper. He said it would “cause drama.”
Later, I found out that under the Tinker v. Des Moines case and later rulings, students have press rights—especially if the article is well-researched and not disruptive. We ended up publishing it in a community newsletter instead. It made me realize that censorship isn’t just a history lesson—it’s something students still face.
11. “I Didn’t Realize the Law Could Protect LGBTQ+ Students” by Andre Kim
In middle school, I was bullied constantly for being gay. I didn’t tell anyone because I assumed there was nothing the school could do. I just figured I had to wait it out.
Then I learned about how Title IX also protects students from harassment based on sexual orientation. I wish I had known that sooner. It might not have stopped everything, but maybe I would’ve felt less alone, or found someone to help me sooner.
12. “I Got Fined for Something That Wasn’t My Fault” by Destiny Price
I once got a $75 ticket for not wearing a bike helmet. The problem was, I was borrowing someone else’s bike and didn’t know the helmet rule in our city. I didn’t think it was fair, but I paid it anyway because I didn’t want trouble.
Later, I found out that in some places, juvenile fines can be appealed, and that there are programs to get them reduced or cleared, especially for first-time offenses. I didn’t even know that was an option. It made me realize how many young people just pay up because they’re scared or uninformed.
