Islamophobia is a consequence of terrorism that Muslims around the world have to deal with. In America specifically, after the attacks of 9/11, living as a young Muslim is extremely difficult. With nasty names and pointed fingers, the wrong accusations of crimes committed are infinite.

Ahmed Mohamed was a 14 year old student in a Texas suburb when his teacher called in a police squad because she thought the potato clock he had made was a bomb. He was arrested. The anti-Muslim sentiment that has riddled the United States post 9/11 is appalling and has resulted in stories like Ahmed’s. What is important about Ahmed’s case, is that the media gave him the opportunity for his story to be told. He was able to clear his name, but his story shone an important light on the xenophobia currently plaguing America and allowed for everyone to see how wrong this is. The enhanced media observation of this specific case even resulted in a hashtag, #WeAreAllAhmed, that has brought everyone to understand that we are all one people and that togetherness and unity in the face of fear will lead us to success.

We often underestimate the tools that the common man have at our disposal. Even with our rights expressed, sometimes we don't see the full scope of our own potential.

The freedoms of speech and expression are rights I value everyday and I exercise these rights here on the Odyssey every week. I try very hard not to take them for granted, and neither should you. Using the vessels you have the ability to access to exercise your rights is essential and, trust me, very exhilarating. I also exercise my rights using a very embarrassingly large number of social media sights. Even then, we see prejudice.

In today’s time and in the United States, we have the liberty to tell our stories and move people to understand Islam and the truth, the greatest tool at our disposal is the media. Telling stories that engage every demographic and clarify misconception is the key to deleting Islamophobia, and all hate, from the world.