Ahmed Mohammed, 14, of Dallas, Texas is a clearly highly intelligent and gifted kid; a young man who should never be deemed anything less than an inspiration to others, especially by his teachers. Ahmed is an inventor; he creates, builds and fixes things. It is inspiring to see a young man wanting to learn, grow and share his creativity and innovations.
He created a clock (see his video below) which he took to school to show his teacher. Instead of getting feedback or inspiration or sparking a discussion on further projects, the intelligent teacher felt they needed to alert the police. After all, it could be a bomb…….
Ahmed says at the end of the following video that this unwarranted treatment made him feel like he “wasn’t human”; like he was a “criminal”. No child should be made to feel that way, especially one who was simply sharing his personal creation with his teacher. Isn’t exploring, experimenting and creating all a part of the learning process? Isn’t what Ahmed did exactly what any good teacher would hope their student(s) would do? If I had been his teacher, I would have been honored and proud that my student had such talent; not to mention that he felt he could share it with me.
The charges are dropped, but that’s not the point of this post. The fact that he was arrested, detained and interrogated is wrong, abuse and racism plain and simple. Ignorant thinking and foolish judgment forced a child to experience what no one should have to face for being smart and being a creator.
While it is good, of course, that the unjust charges were dropped, it still is a traumatic event to put anyone through. At the very least the police as well as the school and especially the teacher owe Ahmed the most sincere apologies. This is just further proof that we have so much work to do in this racist, biased, bigot filled country.
Tell the police and Ahmed’s school: “Curiosity and an interest in science are not a crime! Stop harassing Ahmed Mohammed, do not bring any charges against him, and remove his suspension from his school record.”
Truth- A Right to Fight For... 