I'm rather irked that most of the pictures have the LED display flipped down to make it that much more confusing. And if there was any actual confusion, you'd think they would just give a ring to the engineering teacher.
If the teacher who reported it truly thought it was a bomb, I'd think she wouldn't have left it in her desk till the end of the period.
It is punishment for 'well, it could look like a bomb,' rather like treating clothes or necklaces that have the imagery of a weapon as a weapon.
I think it is the regular old idiocy, not any special racist bent. Still to be railed against. American culture has thrived with the attitude that what is not forbidden is acceptable and schools in the last 15 years have switched to the opposite; all not dictated is forbidden. Better not to take action that is not explicitly instructed, better not to think and problem solve independently, ect ect, rant rant.
Kudos to the kid for getting to the White House. It reminds me of a friend of mine, engaged to a Sandyhook shooting victim. He was flown around on Airforce One ect, and good for him getting the opportunity, but those doing the invite and arranging are just doing it for publicity and points, not any real sympathy or mutual goals. Never let a tragedy go to waste.