Internet, And President, Rally Behind Muslim Teen Arrested For Making 'Bomb' That Was Actually Clock
It was a pretty crappy day for one school kid yesterday. A kid who just so happened to be Muslim and have brown skin and took a project he'd been working on into school. Which just so happened to be a digital display clock he'd made from components in his dad's garage.
He showed it to his engineering teacher, proud of what he'd done, who told him it looked like a bomb and not to show it to anybody else. He ignored that teacher, because he wanted to show off his skills, so he showed it to another teacher.
She thought it looked like a bomb too, so called the police and they arrested him for making a hoax bomb. It's a sad sorry story, where a kid, wearing a damn NASA t-shirt because he obviously wants to be an engineer so bad, is arrested and suspended from school for showing ingenuity and creativity.
This is what happened to 14 year old Muslim teen Ahmed Mohamed yesterday at MacArthur high school in Irving, Texas. After the story hit the news, outrage and disbelief started to rightfully flood in.
People were astonished that instead of being met with encouragement, he was handcuffed and arrested and made to feel like a criminal.
"I built a clock to impress my teacher but when I showed it to her she thought it was a threat to her." Ahmed said. "I'm very sad that she got the wrong impression of it."
The image below sums up the tragedy of it all.
I expect they will have more to say tomorrow, but Ahmed's sister asked me to share this photo. A NASA shirt!
Although it was a sad day for this kid, and America in general, some good has come of it. The internet rallied around Ahmed with hashtag #IStandWithAhmed trending on Twitter. People used it to show support, post memes to show how ridiculous the situation was, and generally to reveal distaste for the whole shameful scenario.
But it wasn't just the internet, Ahmed has got lots of high profile support too—from none other than the POTUS. Along with Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter, NASA, and many more who have all asked him to drop by and see them—and bring the clock, of course.
Cool clock, Ahmed. Want to bring it to the White House? We should inspire more kids like you to like science. It's what makes America great.
Hi ! I'd love you to join us for our science show Generator in Toronto on 28 Oct. There's a ticket waiting for you.
Hi , we ? building things at too. Would you consider interning with us? We'd love it — DM us! #IStandWithAhmed
And here's how the internet mocked Ahmed's school and the Irving police for totally mishandling the situation.
An Arab-looking man of Syrian descent in a garage w/his accomplice building what appears to be a bomb. Arrest them.
MUSLIMS NEED TO LEAVE THE MIDDLE AGES AND JOIN THE 21ST CENTURY OK kid: look I'm so into science I made a clock! BOMB BOMB HE'S GOT A BOMB
If this looks like a bomb to you, then please ... don't touch technology. You are a stupid person. #IStandWithAhmed
After being released, with the Irving police saying they won't be pursing charges (well, duh), Ahmed showed his thanks to everyone for supporting him.