Ahmed & the Magic Clock S
ome objects are magic. You can feel the energy flowing within them. I think Ahmed Mohamed’s clock is one of those magic objects. Over 500 miles away, I can sense the energy. Ahmed’s clock has catapulted Ahmed Mohamed to international fame. At the same time, it has exposed the sheer idiocy of the racism and paranoia inherent in our society, where punishment of the powerless is paramount. In case you missed the story: Ahmed Mohamed is a young inventor and until last week, a ninth-grade student at MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas. Last Tuesday, Ahmed brought a clock he had made to school to show his engineering teacher. Later in English class, Ahmed’s clock started beeping. The teacher thought it was a bomb. After all, Ahmed is Black, Muslim and his surname is Mohamed — three strikes against him. Police were called; and Ahmed was arrested and led away in handcuffs by five policemen. When it was ascertained that Ahmed’s clock was not a bomb, the police called it a “hoax bomb” and threatened to press charges against him, even though Ahmed insisted it was a clock. The Irving Independent School District suspended Ahmed for three days. The mayor expressed support for the police and the school district. It is really heartening the way so many
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“techies” have come to Ahmed’s support. Ahmed has received invitations from Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, Google Science Fair, Microsoft, MIT and on and on and on — and oh yes, an invitation to visit the White House and bring his clock. The City of Irving, the school district and the police department all look like a bunch of dolts — and the longer they insist that they did the right thing in taking Ahmed out of school in handcuffs, threatening him and suspending him, the more ridiculous they look. Meanwhile, Ahmed will not be returning to MacArthur High School. His family is looking elsewhere for Ahmed to go to school — small wonder. MacArthur High School could have had a student who may one day be instrumental in developing the next generation of computers or something even more important; but they totally blew it. That’s what racism and paranoia will get you. Now, let’s suppose Irving, Texas had not been such a racist paranoid city. The incident might have gone something like this: [Ahmed is sitting in English class when his backpack starts beeping] Miss Brooks [Ahmed’s English teacher]: What is that? Ahmed: [a little embarrassed] Oh, that’s my clock. [Takes the clock out of his backpack] I’m sorry, Miss Brooks. I’ll turn it off. Miss Brooks: Excuse me a minute class.
And so, Ahmed, look inside yourself. The magic is there. Tap into it and let it guide you. And if you are looking for a new home and a new school, please consider Rolla, Missouri.
[Miss Brooks leaves the room, calls the principal.] Ahmed Mohamed has an object that beeped in class. He says it’s a clock. I don’t think it’s a bomb, but it looks like it might be one. Mr. Conklin [the principal]: I’ll take care of this. [Mr. Conklin calls the police. Minutes later Joe Friday and Frank Smith arrive at the school dressed in street clothes. Frank is an expert on bombs. Joe and Frank wait outside the classroom; Mr. Conklin walks in.] Mr. Conklin: Ahmed I hear you have a clock. Ahmed: Yes, Mr. Conklin. Mr. Conklin: I have a friend who is a clockmaker. He’d like to take a look at your clock. Would you come with me? [Ahmed nods his head. Mr. Conklin and Ahmed leave the classroom.] [In another room] Mr. Conklin: Can you let Mr. Smith take a look at your clock? [Ahmed hands the clock to Frank] Frank: [Looks at the clock for a minute to ascertain it’s not a bomb. Signals that its ok] Ahmed, this is quite a clock. Did you make it all by yourself? Ahmed: Yes, Mr. Smith. Frank: Can you show me how it works? Ahmed: Well, here is the power switch; and here is the timer. I set it to beep at the end of class; but I guess I goofed. It beeped in the middle of class. Frank: Nice clock, Ahmed. Have you thought about entering it in the science fair? Ahmed: Yes, I’d like to do that. Frank: Have you invented anything else? Ahmed: Lots of things. Frank: What’s your best invention? Ahmed: I waterproofed the electronics on a remote control car and turned it into an amphibious vehicle.