Invest In Justice: Helping Isabel Fight Discrimination
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On what should have been one of the proudest days of her life, my daughter, a recent high school graduate, endured a deeply humiliating experience that has shaken our family and our community to its core.
Like many graduates, my daughter chose to wear the Mexican flag on her graduation day. She wore it with immense pride across her shoulders, a public declaration of her Indigenous and Mexican identity, a tribute to her ancestors, and a celebration of her heritage. She wore it not to cause a scene, but to proudly embody who she is and where she comes from.
Instead of being celebrated for her identity, she was publicly shamed. As she crossed the stage, Barbara Nemko, the Napa County & District Superintendent, deliberately refused to shake her hand. A moment meant for recognition and upliftment became one of public humiliation, witnessed by her classmates, her family, and our entire community.
When confronted, Barbara Nemko later claimed she "thought it was a Palestinian flag." This excuse is not an absolution; it is an escalation of the offense. It starkly reveals a willingness to treat individuals differently based on prejudiced assumptions about their cultural or political affiliations. When an individual holding such a position of power, someone entrusted with influencing and molding the minds of our youth, behaves in this manner, it is more than disrespectful—it is dangerous. It sends a chilling message that some cultures are less worthy, less welcome, and subject to public scorn. This is utterly unacceptable.
This fight extends far beyond one single moment of injustice against our daughter. It is about every student who has ever been made to feel small, marginalized, or ashamed for proudly embracing their heritage. It spotlights the ongoing injustices that Indigenous, Black, Brown, and all students of color continue to face within educational systems that often claim to support diversity but too frequently silence and diminish it.
The profound impact of this public humiliation has taken a severe toll on my daughter's mental health. She was already struggling immensely, having bravely navigated challenges that no one, especially an 18-year-old, should ever have to face. This incident has exacerbated her struggles, adding deep emotional pain and a sense of betrayal.
We are establishing this GoFundMe to raise essential funds to hire a civil rights lawyer and demand accountability for this egregious act.
We seek not only justice for our daughter but also to ensure that such discriminatory behavior is never tolerated within our educational institutions again.
This is bigger than one isolated incident. It’s about protecting the fundamental right of every student to be seen, to be heard, and to be celebrated for who they are—without shame, without prejudice, and without fear of public humiliation.
Your contribution, no matter the size, will directly support our legal efforts to hold those in power accountable and to send a clear message that cultural pride is a strength to be celebrated, not condemned. Please help us fight for dignity, respect, and a more just future for all students.
Thank you for standing with us in this crucial fight for justice and cultural affirmation.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Tami
Organizer
Tami Niles
Organizer
Napa, CA