$15M for Severe Psychological Trauma // Uriel Cruz, Period 6

Ahmed Mohamed, better known as the "Clock Boy," has returned to the headlines just two months after the whole 'it's a bomb!' incident. His family demands "$15m and apologies from the mayor and police chief." If the officials "don't comply within 60 days, a civil lawsuit will be filed." The reason for these demands is because the Mohamed family's attorney claims that Ahmed has suffered severe psychological trauma. $15m for an impromptu 'Scared Straight' type session seems a bit over the top though, especially now that everyone's moved onto other things. Ahmed has been invited to the White House, offered jobs and scholarships for his creativity and his intuitive ways, but the family still wants more. Although the incident was probably caused by stereotypes and racism, the way the police and school handled it definitely doesn't justify the demands for $15m. Okay, yeah, it was really uncalled for, and being handcuffed and interrogated may leave you in shock for quite a while, but $15m is a lot for a school official not taking any chances with a home-made clock that resembles a bomb. I don't want to sound like I'm against the demands and the Mohameds themselves, but they may be overdoing it.
  If I turned into a dark internet meme, I'd enjoy it. I'd pick out my favorites and share them with friends, etc. In Ahmed's case, however, being permanently assossiated with bombs and being known for making a 'faulty bomb' probably isn't funny.
  If I was detained, handcuffed and interrogated for bringing a plastic baggie that contained something that looked like some misc drug to school because Latinos are "drug dealers and cause crime" and whatnot, I wouldn't demand money.
  Why would I bring something like that to school in the first place? Ahmed just decided to bring a home-made clock to school to show his teachers and made no effort to explain to/warn anyone before bringing it to school. Ahmed could've handled that better and avoided this completely. The reactions to the clock aren't even surprising, if it looks like a bomb, people will panic. It should be common sense by now. It was both sides' fault in this case -- at least in my opinion.

As I mentioned earlier, the incident was probably caused by stereotypes and racism. If I put anyone else in Ahmed's place, I think the reactions would've been a little hesitant or calmer than with Ahmed. Since Ahmed is of Muslim descent, it's obvious why everyone was so quick to call the police and/or panic. I think this hasty generalization is just part of the American's fear of the Middlle Eastern population. After terrorist attacks over a decade ago, America's views on people of Middle Eastern descent definitely changed for the worse and this is an example of it. After the Parisian attacks last week, America's Syrian refugee admittance has declined immensely. Why, do you ask? Because Americans don't want to be at risk of getting bombed and don't want to take any risks. It's all the same situation with the same results.

The Mohameds Want $15m and Apologies // http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/23/us/ahmed-mohamed-clock-letters-demand-apologies/index.html