NASA, Obama and celebs show support for Texas teen after homemade clock mixup
Wednesday morning Ahmed Mohamed made news after it was revealed that his North Texas high school decided that a homemade clock he proudly brought to class looked like a bomb - and detained him.
Wednesday morning, Ahmed Mohamed made news after it was revealed that his North Texas high school decided that a homemade clock he proudly brought to class looked like a bomb — and detained him.
Mohamed’s family says the boy was suspended for three days from MacArthur High School in the Dallas suburb of Irving after taking the clock to class on Monday — a move that seemed particularly heavy-handed, given that the young man was an acknowledged robotics enthusiast with no prior disciplinary issues.
Since the story broke, the general consensus on social media has been that this incident hints at a level of racism and Islamophobia that has no place in any school system,.
Now, everyone from the POTUS to Mark Zuckerberg is making it publicly known that they #StandWithAhmed and nerds everywhere.
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.
— President Obama (@POTUS44) September 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/lunarnomad/status/644124982650499072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
#IStandWithAhmed — stay strong little brother. you are a genius and we all support your incredible passion for innovation + technology.
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) September 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/LaAngel_/status/643984972764725249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Nerds Unite. #IStandWithAhmed http://t.co/uVpy4Z6vim
— ?st (@questlove) September 16, 2015
Was the bomb squad called? Was the school evacuated? No. They knew this wasn't a real threat, they just wanted to put a kid in his place.
— 💀 damned sinker 💀 (@dansinker) September 16, 2015
Mark Zuckerberg- "If you ever want to come by Facebook, I'd love to meet you. Keep building."#IStandWithAhmed pic.twitter.com/EU64r7gq00
— Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) September 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/iSmashFizzle/status/643979446152744964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/DabAggin/status/644123802138509313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/MichaelaAngelaD/status/644210181203718144
When a photo began circulating of Mohamed being taken away in handcuffs, many resonated with the fact that this teen engineer in the making was wearing a NASA T-shirt as he grappled to make sense of what was happening.
I expect they will have more to say tomorrow, but Ahmed's sister asked me to share this photo. A NASA shirt! pic.twitter.com/nR4gt992gB
— anildash.com (@anildash) September 16, 2015
It would be so wonderful if @nasa showed support for Ahmed, maybe extending some special invitation, commendation or gift. #IStandWithAhmed
— Dr. Karen James (@kejames) September 16, 2015
No matter how much we love this lil boy down AND INTERNET WE BETTER! if he's not in somebody's space camp we have failed our duties as nerds
— 🗽Sydette Cosmic Dreaded Gorgon Clydesdale🇬🇾 (@Blackamazon) September 16, 2015
Eventually members of NASA took notice and extended an invite.
Hi @IStandWithAhmed ! I'd love you to join us for our science show Generator in Toronto on 28 Oct. There's a ticket waiting for you.
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) September 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/mikeseibert/status/644152049525899265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Anytime you wanna see Mars rovers Ahmed, let me know. #IStandWithAhmed
— Mapperwocky(@[email protected] and Mastodon) (@cirquelar) September 16, 2015
Hey Ahmed, give me a call in a couple years. We could always use smart, curious & creative people. https://t.co/02a4feMrk5
— Bobak Ferdowsi (@tweetsoutloud) September 16, 2015
In response to the backlash, the school issued a statement. Not surprisingly, Twitter wasn’t impressed and made sure to point out their attempt to skirt accountability.
https://twitter.com/heidiheilig/status/644131620740595712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Ultimately, Ahmed Mohamed had the last word.
Thank you fellow supporters. We can ban together to stop this racial inequality and prevent this from happening again pic.twitter.com/fBlmckoafU
— Ahmed Mohamed (@IStandWithAhmed) September 16, 2015
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