Clements Student’s Case From An Outsider’s Viewpoint

I have read about the story (Chineses Community Rallies Behind Student Removed From Clements in one of Germany’s biggest political magazines “der Spiegel,” and thought maybe an outside view on the matter might be of interest.

First, there seems to be no legal argument to justify the school officials taking action against this pupil. It is definitely not legally wrong to create a shooter map of ones school.

It’s the kid’s private matter and the game itself is obviously legal. If he had planned a massacre at his school in real life, where his programming skills could be seen as a preparation to commit a crime, then it would be a different story, but that is not the case here.

Secondly, morals: One can debate if it is “right” to create such a map, as in the light of the past shooting at v.tech university and many other shootings, of course people are offended and parents of the school itself are scared (not w/o reason). But ethical arguments w/o legal background tend to be misused often, do some FBISD officials want to strengthen their reputation? Arguing a hammer is a weapon? Yee, where is rationality when you need it most?

To suspend the boy has to be seen in the context of a strong atmosphere of fear which is present in many parts of U.S. society since 9/11. I myself have visited the states several times and I have the perception that some things have changed in the wrong direction, i.e. border-security/custom controls becoming more hostile to tourists, U.S. nationalism often dominating any serious debate (Even some U.S. soldiers, who where stationed in my country before heading to Iraq have had this perception). I want to underline, that I do not pursue “U.S. bashing” here, as I am grateful for U.S past role for my country and admire many typically American things.

I hope the pupil can continue his career w/o further disturbance and that the kid and his family are supported by as many people as possible. Maybe an open debate on what “misuse of power” really means could help a little.

Christian Knoll
Frankfurt am Main, Germany