The New York Post and others have noticed along with us that a refugee from Afghanistan was being trolled on Twitter. The NYP claimed he was being harassed. Hamed Ahmadi posted a picture of some fruit, chicken, and what appeared to be some slices of bread that were mostly off-screen.
We aren’t able to independently verify whether or not some of the food had been already eaten. Although we sympathize with anyone around the world who is experiencing true hunger and/or starvation, this tweet may have been a little off base.
Many in the U.S. have asked the government not to bring refugees at all. Nevertheless, many have been coming to the United States from Afghanistan. This comes after the botched withdrawal of troops by President Biden that led to the quick and easy takeover by the Taliban. Ahmadi, who, according to his Twitter bio, is a “Blogger & Writer at iPSO Afghanistan” and “translator”, tweeted the photo saying:
“Not complaining but this is what I got last night for dinner and the next meal is 12 hours later. Refugee life might be safe but never easy & favorable. Fort bliss El Paso Texas.”
Not complaining but this is what I got last night for dinner and the next meal is 12 hours later. Refugee life might be safe but never easy & favorable. Fort bliss El Paso Texas. #AfghanRefugees #afghanistan pic.twitter.com/2X7eP8Uwa0
— Hamed Ahmadi (@ahmadihamed_) September 2, 2021
Many are saying that he’s still grateful to be a refugee but that he is just highlighting that it’s not all it may be cracked up to be to those who haven’t made it to the United States. Others may see it as just complaining and potential ungrateful behavior for someone who hasn’t even been in the United States for that long.
Some in the replies to his tweet even took it a step further, claiming in so many words that although the United States welcomed him in and his feeding him for free with hard-earned taxpayer money, he has a right to complain still. One example of that:
You have a right to complain
— Lila Hassan ليلى حسن (@lilahass) September 2, 2021
Ahmadi apparently saw the New York Post story about him and retweeted it without a lot of context. It’s hard to tell if he is playing the victim, or not sure what to think at this point. We’re sure he’s glad to be here to some degree, but he may want to rethink his approach, as many on Twitter got the wrong idea if indeed he is grateful. Some examples of that:
While tweeting from an iPhone !
— The Nameless Ms. (@NiaSpeaks_) September 4, 2021
He’s safe, he’s being housed and fed, will get medical help too if needed..
Complaining is in poor taste while people die in his home country
Yes. Complain about the choice they made to leave everything with nothing and still have food, and shelter. Along with internet. Yes it’s a real struggle. I’ll just ignore the tents setup in major cities across the country that people have to live in.
— Jacks mom (@Jacksmo17993241) September 4, 2021
Well known news and Twitter pundit Amy Tarkanian tweeted:
“I was unable to reach a homeless veteran to ask how they like their free meals and free housing because they don’t get those things. Also they don’t have iPhones.”
I was unable to reach a homeless veteran to ask how they like their free meals and free housing because they don’t get those things. Also they don’t have iPhones.
— Amy Tarkanian (@MrsT106) September 4, 2021
The New York Post attempted to add some more context to the story:
Hamed Ahmadi, 28, a Fulbright semi-finalist, tweeted the photo showing some anemic chicken slices and fruit to highlight the unglamorous life he now faced as a refugee.
“The point of that tweet was not … to be complaining, to be very critical,” Mr. Ahmadi told The Independent. “I was just describing a situation of Afghan refugees that are in the situation that they never really wanted to be in.”
Unfortunately, Twitter isn’t the place for nuance and he found himself quickly inundated by trolls telling him to “go back to Afghanistan.”
“If I had more space [on Twitter], I would have added more explanation – because I wanted to say that this is the refugee life. And we need to be patient,” Ahmadi said.
Navy veteran and congressional candidate Jarome Bell was not happy to see it:
Airdrop homie back to Kabul and give this meal to one of my homeless veteran brothers or sisters https://t.co/Mp1bEY8ZMR
— Jarome Bell (@JaromeBellVA) September 4, 2021
- Moon Walker Buzz Aldrin Shocks the World, Sends Kamala Harris Packing into Outer Space by Endorsing Donald Trump - October 30, 2024
- Man and Wife Thrilled When Donald Trump Hands Them Their McDonald’s Order: ‘Thank You for Taking a Bullet for Us’ - October 20, 2024
- Kamala Harris Rally Attendee says Jesus is Lord, is told ‘You’re at the Wrong Rally’ and Kicked Out - October 19, 2024
1 Comment