BALTIMORE, Md. — Respect for youth is in short supply in west Baltimore, where students rioted in April over the death of Freddie Gray and racial discrimination. So it was notable when a middle schooler in west Baltimore named Diamond stood up and told Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., why she likes her school.

“I feel respected,” Diamond told Cummings. “I’m excited because the teachers care about us.”