By: rjg on 11/17/09
What is the school and the police doing
about the race war that is going on???
While one student lays in the hospital after
yesterdays fight before school.

By: ET on 11/17/09
I agree with you rjg..the race war is bad, I have a senior there and he says it has gotten worse, I always encourage him to come out and say something, he says they do and nothing is being done. There are hall monitors, but they cannot see everything. I do believe however that they have cameras to watch the hallways, however things happen off grounds, it is difficult for the school to do anything about that. Was this fight on or off grounds? I had not heard about it, I will ask my son about it when he gets home today. I do know he says many do not like to get involved and help because they are afraid of what can happen to them. For lack of a better word and not to sound racist, these kids of "color" do not fight clean and are capable of ganging up on those who interfere at other places besides the school.

By: JaneDoe on 11/17/09
I called the school last spring and complained as I got wind of a few other kids of a minority background that were going to beat up my child and some friends after school. I was told that I needed to come and pick up them up from school then. How does that work?

By: Owatonna-Raised on 11/17/09
Friends of ours that have their kids attending there went home yesterday for fear of their safety. The parents did not get any satisfaction when they approached the principal. It involved the same incident where a person ended up in the hospital. Many Samoli's ganged up on a single person--but only one was sent home. It sounds like the athorities at the school are afraid to make a point with the "NO TOLERANCE RULE" when it comes to Samoli's.

By: ohsindy on 11/17/09
Yesterdays violence was 30+ Somolians against 4. You are right about the ganging up on people. Too bad the school administration can't just be honest about the issues instead of hiding behind political correctness.

By: ohsindy on 11/17/09
There is a school board meeting November 23rd at the district office. Parents concerned about student safety should attend.

By: ET on 11/17/09
Perhaps it's time that we all get together and go to a School Board meeting and address our concerns and ask them face to face what they intend to do about it. I don't want something to seriously happen to one of our students or to the school before anything is done.

By: ET on 11/17/09
I should clarify that by "serious" I meant someone is killed. Anything is possible with these Samoli's.

By: atlascollapsed on 11/17/09
I imagine if we gave into the teachers union request this would all go away.

By: jdb7081 on 11/17/09
I agree with all of you, but i can tell you some information from the so called "racial riot". 4 students were involved in school assault the key student involved was directed by school officals to be taken to the hospital and later found out he was jumped and assaulted. the school board was aware of the tension but failed to do anything about it there was no extra teachers or schools officals around, in fact there was NO teachers in the area and while the students were being beating one student ran to the office and annoncued fight..C-plaza..Now, but no school officals listened to this announcement. Now im not saying a bomb threat is not important but when there are 1600 students at this school and nobody attempts to help these injured students what is up with that. this issue has been brought to the attention of every principal but nothing has been said or even an apolige to these hurt students.In my opinion this issue needs to be brought to higher attention way past the school board.

By: jessnichole on 11/17/09
I don't see how, AC. It's the kids that are fighting and hurting others, not the teachers.

I just find it sad. Not to excuse any of their behavior, but these Somalian students come from a different walk of life, they come from an entirely different country that is filled with war and anger, and this is all they know. They fight to survive. And that is not a behavior you can break easily. It doesn't just change because you've moved. For some of them, this is all they have ever known.

Again, not excusing any behavior. It's been almost 5 years since I was high school, but I remember what it was like back then, and can't imagine what it's like now that it's worse. But, it is food for thought. Devils advocate, if you wish.

By: steele_this on 11/17/09
Not too long ago I attended the OHS and can tell you that is a scary place for students. There are so many people willing to fight just for fun and games. I hope the staff do get a handle on this- FAST! It seems to be getting worse.

By: NewHome on 11/17/09
There were several "excuses" these parents received from the staff at OHS, however, the story kept changing.

The "race" war was started because of a letter that was written, in fact, two letters. The school is doing NOTHING to educate students about different cultures and diversity. That is the shame here.

The school also did NOTHING to protect the children who were attacked. Rumor is there are three excuses being given.

ET, your comment that anything is possible with these Somali's is quite ignorant. Read the letter and then tell me if you, as a race, would be offended.

By: viking77 on 11/17/09
I agree!! The fact of the matter is that friends-girlfriends-brothers-sisters of the 4 that were beaten at school are being harassed and threatened at school. I personally know of at least 25 kids that are not at school because they were told for their safety it was not a good idea(denied by the school of course)Pretty bad when kids parents are told that. Parents have tried to call and report this harassment that is taking place and they are told to make an appt for Thurs. when it was Tues. morning that they first notified the school that there was a problem. So 2-days later it is going to be addressed and this child is supposed to go to school for 2-days dealing with threats to"watch their back" and calling them every name in book.These are our kids we are sending into war zone. The kids that are now being targeted have nothing to do with the initial problem other than being friends of the 4 that have been attacked. Maybe it will be your child next because he/she is friends with someone...Think about that and decide if you want to send your child into a war zone.

By: tonnatownie on 11/17/09
I have heard rumors - no hard evidence of a bus driver being beaten by some somali students. Has anyone heard of this or is it just a rumor?

By: jjackson on 11/17/09
This is Jeffrey Jackson, the managing editor of the Owatonna People's Press. I have been reading with interest the comments made online concerning racial tension in the schools. The topic is one that concerns us at the paper and as members of the community. And it is a topic that we think the paper should investigate and report on. We would like to speak to some people who have direct knowledge of the incident(s) mentioned in the comments above. If you have or someone you know has such direct knowledge of the incidents, please contact me at the Owatonna People's Press. My telephone number is 444-2371. My e-mail address is jjackson@owatonna.com.

By: jdb7081 on 11/17/09
i have read the letter, the letter was voicing his opinion towards 200 Somalians being fired in a different state

By: ET on 11/17/09
NewHome, I will plead ignorance, however which letter are you speaking of? I may be offended but if you don't think anything is possible in any situation, well, I will say respect that attitude.

By: NewHome on 11/17/09
jdb, the letter, yes touched on the Somalians from Nebraska....but did you read the rest of it? ET I am talking of, I believe, was the second letter that was put out. I just felt that it was full of uneducated comments.

By: jdb7081 on 11/17/09
yes i did read the whole letter, it made points about Somalia students wearing there hats in school, and how they spend the governments money on useless stuff, and how they should be able to drive nice cars for free

By: Mr_Kite on 11/17/09
I don't mean to doubt what you are saying, but if this is even half true you parents really need to unite and approach the school. You need to stand up, make some demands, reasonable of course, and make the officals be held accountable. Strenght in numbers folks Sometimes the other guy doesn't get involved if that's who you're waiting for.

By: NewHome on 11/17/09
jdb and you don't you believe those are uneducated comments? Where is the proof? These kids need to be united and none of this was OK. Ignorance is bliss and very unsuccessful in connecting different cultures.

The less education you give people the more you breed ignorance which runs rampant among many around here.

By: jdb7081 on 11/17/09
i dont believe these are uneducated comments! where is the proof? the proof is in the school with the rest of these facts and our endangered children!

By: ss_observing on 11/17/09
IF the letter(s) contain what is being discussed - my first observation is - everyone is entitled to their opinion, and that doesn't give ANYONE the right to attack someone else. Quite frankly I don't care if that's "where they come from", and that's all they know. I thought the whole idea of "coming here" was to get away from "it". ACCLIMATE. Second, it also sounds like the "opinions" actually hold some truth(s). If you can't handle the truth, or don't like what is being written, change it. Attacking other people isn't exactly the right approach. This group of people, whom we are supposed to accept with open arms, didn't come here with a pre-existing reputation - they are earning it on a daily basis. And "we" have the wrong attitudes? Why do we have to shut up and put up? I think it's time for the school, or the police to nip it before it escalates any further. Maybe we could allocate our resources differently and bump it up a notch from monitoring rolling stop signs. If you don't want us to be "racist" or "biased" maybe you should consider not "teaching" us how to be....

By: NewHome on 11/17/09
jdb, and ss, please understand, I am not saying put up or shut up.....I'm saying that this violence is unacceptable at every level so it is time to step back and understand, why it happened and go forward with caution. I'm in no way trying to be argumentative, I'm trying to say....what has happened is a tragedy and what are we going to do going forward to prevent this from happening again.

The letter did come across as hateful. I don't blame the student, I blame the lack of education of different cultures and the benefits that the Somalians received when they were BROUGHT here to work.

This is a very sensitive subject and our kids need to be educated together, so why teach them to hate? Why not bring them all together to understand and accept eachother....on each side?

By: viking77 on 11/17/09
What is sad here is the lack of concern and knowledge from the school. Knowledge on every level starting from the kids to the parents. Violence is never acceptable and I really feel the school blindness to what is happening is no excuse. The community has to stand together here and get the word out to all parents and non parents what is going on here. I will be there at the school board meeting and I hope there is a abundance of community members that are concerned for our town and where it is headed. The people that I have the sympathy for are the innocent bystanders that have come under attack and have not received any commitment from the school on their intentions. This is unacceptable behavior on the school part. Something should of been done before there was blood shed. It is not going to end here. I feelings is that it is only going to continue.

By: boutique on 11/17/09
FYI to Mr_kite I am one of the parents of the boys attacked and "we all have united and approached the school and stood up and tried to make some demands that something needs to be done here" But are getting no where and no answers! We are all very upset and frustrated. So now what? What do we do next?????? What is going to happen next??? Your right these official need to be held accountable!

By: outlander on 11/17/09
If it were white kids doing the beating up it would make national news. jessnichol that is the most liberal view I have seen on this site for a while. Whatever was written, as bad as it may be, does not give ANYONE the right to hit someone else. Your viewpoint has been forced upon communities and businesses for years now. We are the ones to change how things are done? The somalians have been here long enough to know how to act. You may disagree with someone, but you do not have the right to beat someone up. The school board and the HS better get this one right. If you have a zero tolerance rule, then all involved, even those that intervened to help get the same punishment. If that means 30 kids are suspended then that's what it is.

It boggles my mind how it can make sense to ANYONE that if I go to another country I must follow their laws but if someone comes here to live or visit then I must change and adapt to their way of life?!?!?!?!?!

All sides need to get involved and figure out how to fix this. You are not going to stop the hatred that some have towards the Somalis just as you are not going to change the arrogance that some of the somalis have in the community. But we all need to get along and figure out how to deal with stupid words on a piece of paper.

By: concernedcitizen on 11/17/09
I'm totally out of the loop on what has recently happened. However, it seems to me that when we accepted these students (Somali)that it was the expectation that they abide by the rules of the school. Not that the school abides by the rules of the Somalis.

By: charliebrown on 11/17/09
Maybe if all the parents and students paraded out front of school some morning with signs that said, "we are tired of being harassed" or "Stop the racial treatment of whites", "Whites are tired of the prejudice" and call the paper, TV stations and get it in the news. Maybe then something would be done. White folks who were raised in this country are becoming the minority. Beatings, harassment, taunting, fighting should not be tolerated---regardless of the skin color.

I think people in authority are afraid of doing something and being called racist. If several white kids beat up a kid of color you would see such a uproar from that community. It is time to stand up and protest. Snoopy will be there to help.

By: veeny009 on 11/17/09
I attended this high school a few years ago, and would like to point out a thing or two.

I haven't read all these comments, but I read the first few and realized many people were acting like the somolians do these things just for fun and are completely unprovoked. While I'm not defending some of the things they have done(and I don't know the specific details of recent incidents) I do know a thing or two about the past incidents and as a former WHITE student of the school, I know that often when these things take place, provocation from white students often leads up to it. I'm not denying the somolians have taken things too far in some of these cases, but its not like they are just finding some white kid walking down the street and decide to jump him, often they are picked out because they are part of the huge racism problem that exists in the school from BOTH sides.

I'm not sure if my point got across here, but all I've read in many of these posts is blaming the somolians for everything that happens and that they are the only source of racism in the school, that is completely false, and the problem extends into many of your white homes, whether you like to believe it or not.

And one last point, quit referring to the entire somali race like they are ALL involved. I was friends with many somalians who never took place in anything like this and were good friends.

By: Mr_Kite on 11/17/09
Well said veeny.

By: alittlebitofsugar on 11/17/09
Appreciate your comments Veeny.

If you read some of the inflammatory comments on the story "One Mans Pilgrimage" and some of the ones on this story, you realize where some of the hatred being exhibited at school comes from. I know some of the comments come from frustration, but many seem to be deeply rooted in racism. How many times in our history can we look back and realize that "painting" any race, religion, or culture "with the same broad brush" is wrong. You can point to ANY race in ANY city in America and find good people and bad people.

As Jeffrey Jackson asked, I hope those with first hand knowledge contact him. Rumors, 2nd, 3rd, 4th hand accounts only make the problem worse by distorting the facts.

I wonder how many of the posts on this site would disappear if you had to put your real name behind your opinion. We know who Pookah is, and Brian Sanburn uses his name when he posts his opinions. Whether or not you agree with their opinons, you have to respect putting their names to their postings.

Jeffrey, the community would be better served by OPP more stringently enforcing their terms of service, or better yet by using the same criteria for posting as they do for submitted letters to the editor.

By: NewHome on 11/17/09
veeny thank you.....there are two sides to every story and communication is key. Either side was wrong in this case. PERIOD.

By: jessnichole on 11/17/09
Outland- I am pretty liberal, so that doesn't suprise me. I wasn't trying to say that JUST because they come from a different country they shouldn't have to learn how to behave here. They do. I don't think anyone has properly taught anyone how to behave though. Just like alittlebitofsugar said, I read the comments on the story of "One Man's Pilgrimage"... we can be just as much to blame as anyone. It doesn't matter the race or where they are from, I suppose. Whats wrong is wrong. There is racial tension from BOTH sides, not just one. We need to specifically pinpoint the problem in these individual groups and figure out what is at the heart of the problems. Generalized announcements of "Don't be a bully! Don't fight!" that I remember hearing when I was in classes doesn't do a thing. I wasn't a bully, but I remember sitting there watching videos on bullying in middle school or whatever and watching the kids that bullied me not pay a bit of attention or understanding what was being said. We need to find a good way to get through to everyone, not just Somalis.

An interesting point I thought you made was "You are not going to stop the hatred that some have towards the Somalis just as you are not going to change the arrogance that some of the somalis have in the community."... you describe the 'our' behavior as hatred, but the behavior of the Somalis as arrogance. I am interested in why you would describe it as this.

By: ss_observing on 11/17/09
alittlebitof sugar: Post our real names, when discussing this? Yeah, like that wouldn't impact us, our business, etc. Some of us "whites" are sick and tired of reverse racism, reverse Christianity, or whatever it may be. Why have had to remove the 10-commandments from public facilities? Why have removed "In God we trust" from our money? Why can't we say the Pledge of Allegiance in school? Yet we build prayer rooms and allow breaks in the work place to accommodate it? Why do we have to employ ethnics, when they are not qualified, to fulfill a quota? Why can't we say Merry Christmas? And why can't we say enough? I get tolerance, I get the melting pot concept. I don't agree that all of the concessions have to be at "our" expense.

By: lenore1 on 11/17/09
Well said Veeny & alittlebitofsugar!

By: rjg on 11/18/09
I pulled my kids out of OHS over a year ago
to be home schooled because of the problems
with other kids, teachers and staff. As of
right now I feel they are getting a better
education than could of ever got there.
They have no distractions and they do not
have to worry about watching their back.

By: university on 11/18/09
WOW I am amazed at all these comments especially the one from boutique. You mean to tell us that the school is not listening to your concerns? I feel sorry for the boy that was "attacked" and his family and his friends who stood up to help him. Hopefully they will all be okay? I am a parent of 2 children in the high school and my main concern is the children! Not just mine but everybody's! What is it going to take to get somebody to do something??? Another child in the hospital or a death before the school realizes they need to deal with this situation. Sounds to me like it is discrimination against the white boys! What I would like to know is what happened to the 40+ boys that started this attack!!!!!

By: viking77 on 11/18/09
Lets face it..everyone needs to learn to live together. We are a community not a bunch of sects or cults here. My concern is the way the school is turning their heads on what is happening and happened!! You all are getting away from the main issue. The administration has failed us. They knew something was going to happen and did nothing. They have failed to keep students and parents aware of what is going on and educate us on how to move forward and help the kids to understand what happened and give the kids some opportunity to talk about what has happened. To my knowledge the incident has not been talked to the other students of the school nor has the teachers been informed!!!! The boys that were attacked own teachers have not been informed. How are these families supposed to feel good about sending their children into a school that has not informed the teachers of the problem that so exists in the OHS!!!
The ADMINISTRATION is hoping that the problem goes away :+(( From the bottom of my heart I hope it does. This is a sad sad situation. The school needs to get someone in that can help the situation out...obviously this is well above the principals mantality....as most of us that is involved. I am not putting them down...what I am saying is that this is above their head and they need to realize this!!

By: Newbie on 11/18/09
Does anyone know if assault charges have been filed? They should be!

By: charliebrown on 11/18/09
and the teachers union wants a raise...um..."sigh"

By: Owatonna-Raised on 11/18/09
I am under the impression that when we send our kids to school the school is responsible for their safety. By turning their backs on this situation they are leaving themselves wide open for a law suit--right on top of us the taxpayers for the schools negligence. I am afraid that if this situation does not get cleared up quickly AND CORRECTLY it is going to spill out into the general public beyond the school grounds into all aspects of life here in Owatonna. Too many instances involving accidents with no insurance, no drivers license, milking the system, etc has been going on for way to long. I'm fed up with my wife and myself working ourselves to death--going to the store buying hamburger--standing behing people milking the system buying steaks. It is just not right. I'm tired of supporting people not willing to support themselves. They actually have people payed to find every nick and cranny in our system to help them so they don't have to do anything. It is just not right.

By: NewHome on 11/18/09
Owatonna-Raised, how does this instance have anything to do with people who are "milking" the system and who are "they"? Try to stay on topic please.

What happened was wrong and people above are correct, the school DID know that something was going to take place and they did NOTHING and maybe a lawsuit will prevent them from ever turning a blind eye again.

By: Owatonna-Raised on 11/18/09
Your right--I did stray from the subject at hand. I just did not want to point fingers but tried to imply that the Somoli's are milking the system in more ways than one. I was personnally involved in an accident with a Somoli that had no insurance, no licence, driving a new car and no tickets were written and they just walked away. My insurance paid to fix my car. Just pay attention the next time you are behind a Somoli in the food line at the store. Their kids are learning from example from their parents is what I feel.

By: NewHome on 11/18/09
I understand your frustration but I'd like to point out that plenty of people from every walk of life "milk" the system.

By: indian on 11/18/09
O R In Minnesota we carry what is called no fault insurance. If you are in an accident your insurance pays. Somali people do not have the only drivers that are uninsured or driving without a license. Do you really not think that there are white people taking advantage of government programs? When you stand in line at the grocery store you have never seen a white family using food stamps or on the WIK program? It is a society problem not an ethnic one. We have had people using and abusing the system way before the Somali population came to town.

By: Owatonna-Raised on 11/18/09
Point Taken

By: viking77 on 11/18/09
OK...just received information that another fight at the OHS...more blood has been shed. I hope the administration is happy now. They can't say that they haven't been warned!!

By: ridiculous on 11/18/09
Great discussion! thanks ss_observing and outlander... I am NOT racist - I am just NOT willing to adjust my way of living for your way of living, you came here because it was/is a better place. By allowing these situations to continue our country will one day be just as dangerous. - PERIOD -

By: Owatonna-Raised on 11/18/09
Yes--Another fight between the two groups today. And also talk of a fight brewing down at a park.

By: NewHome on 11/18/09
No, the fight was not between two groups! I wish people would get their facts straight. The fight was between two people (not the same who were involved the other day) and I know when I was in school fights did happen occasionally. Also, the fight at the park was already discussed with the police and they will be there.

By: Owatonna-Raised on 11/18/09
The fact is (so I was told from a parent of the initial 4 kids) was that the fight today was between a white and Somolian in retaliation for the previous incident. Sounds the same to me.

By: NewHome on 11/18/09
I was told by children who actually saw the fight that it was between an Asian child and a Somalian.

By: Owatonna-Raised on 11/18/09
Without actually being there who knows--and I should not be repeating here say regardless of whom I heard it from. All in all a fight is a fight. Asian, white, somoli or spanish the school needs to crack down on this. It is escalating out of hand. I am glad you mentioned that the police did have word of what was supposably planned somewhere tonight in some park. It could/may have been a terrible incident for all involved.

By: viking77 on 11/18/09
Another student drove home from a principal because he was threatened. I guess they still don't have a problem. This blood(I don't care what race)should not of happened! Yes fights happen occasionally NewHome you must be on the administration because they too have their blinders on. Look away and see whatelse happens..Not on my shoulders!

By: Owatonna-Raised on 11/18/09
Whoa--Somebody got riled up.

By: truthbetold on 11/18/09
I have lived next door to wonderful people who are Somalian. I lived in a rental property for 8 1/2 years so I've had a few different families pass through. One winter my husband broke his hand, and I had given birth. I went out side to shovel my driveway, and my neighbor and his children were just finishing the job. I had another family that would show up on my door step with plates of food. The last family I had the honor to call my neighbors, I love dearly. I ran into the husband at Wal-Mart. He gave me a big hug and asked how our family was doing. I told him that we still have an empty lot next to our house! I would love to have him as a neighbor again. Let’s not lump all Somalians into one group. Just as we should not lump all Hispanics, etc.
That being said, I have issue with the exceptions that are being made for certain religions. It is unfair that one religion can leave a work line to pray, and even has room designated for that at the work place, but another has to choose between keeping their job or going to church on Sunday.
I am tired of the "race" card continually being thrown down when someone doesn't get their way. My husband was constantly being called a racist when he worked for one such company in this town. He was one of very few who would actually hold people accountable for their actions- no matter age, race, or otherwise. Funny thing...if he was racist, would he adopt 3 children who are bi-racial?
I think it is horrible what is happening at the High School. I am disappointed with the school for their lack of control in this situation. I should not be worried about sending my children into the High School unsure if they are going to get targeted or attacked. They are supposed to be there to learn, and get a quality education so they can go on to be productive citizens. If things do not change, I will have to consider keeping them home, and changing my plan for their education. I have always been so proud of bragging on Owatonna and our school system, but now I am ashamed and disappointed.

By: NewHome on 11/18/09
viking I am in no way excusing the administration, please know this. I just want to ensure that facts are kept straight so that things can be worked out in an honest way.

I know the Administration dropped the ball more than you know, I also know it is being looked into and addressed. The families involved are ensuring that the school is being held accountable. On these boards it is hard to really understand what a person means. We all need to calm down for the sake of the children and ensure their safety and if we don't believe they are safe in school it is our job to communicate with the school to change the way things are done. I also feel, as a parent, that it is my job to teach my children diversity and tolerance.

viking I just don't want this to turn into hysteria, which with some of the above posts it wouldn't surprise me. The families involved are dealing with this.....but it is not going to happen overnight. I hope the healing can begin soon.

By: outlander on 11/18/09
jess - maybe a poor choice of words. I was "painting with a wide stroke". The hatred was based on what was read on the boards that the one student wrote which started all of this. Definate issues there that need to be addressed. The arrogance was the how ever many somali students that felt comfortable enough to attack the one student.

The somalians would look much better in this matter had they stepped forward and shown the letter to the school, paper, whoever. But that kind of "justice" is just thuggery. And it does not help them look good at all. Back in the day there would be fights at school. Young boys being young boys, but it was always one on one. Now it seems that you must have as many as possible to beat up a single person who you have deemd as not worthy of having a chance just to, dare I say, earn "respect".

The kid has the right to write what he wrote. As much as I hate to say it. soldiers have died to ensure people have that right. It's not healthy, not good, but it is his opinion.

My point is I guess there are two sides to every story, and sometimes there are three. There really is nothing for the school to figure out. If there is a zero tolerance policy they all go. Even the ones that stepped in to help their buddy and took swings.

We need to figure oout how to get along. I have seen negative actions from both sides. It needs to stop now.

By: viking77 on 11/18/09
This site asks for My Opinion....I am very sad :-((
There is no reason that things have come to more blood. Things should have been handled at a student body...b-4 now. I have told them this was going to happen. Education at a student level..teacher..parent...obviously nothing has happened..I know this for a fact!! Racial tension needs to be addressed!!
I am done talking..obviously it has gotten me no where. Everyone please be at the Meeting...District Office on Mon. the 23rd.. Suggestions..etc I hope will be heard! This is a sad very bad situation! I don't know of anyone here that has benefited..including the Asian involved. I only know hear say that he tried to turn away...but was continually harassed and couldn't take it so it eventually evolved to a fight. Like I said hear say...My child had to turn the other cheek to unwanted words today...very hard to do...this has not been addressed with this student on how to handle it. The end.

By: Tiny on 11/18/09
One thing: Hey secretsquirrel!! have a pot of coffee and let them all know what you think!!! like you told ME!!

By: Racer on 11/18/09
Anyone remember the 70's? when Steele Co. still had all the camps? Seems to me there where plenty of "War's" back then too. Even from camp to camp. Ow how times have changed....NOT

By: quinn on 11/18/09
I remember almost four years ago kids I worked with talking about this same type of thing. Kids finding it prudent to pack around baseball bats and the like because someone white/latino/somali might jump them or "steal their system" and they would need to retaliate against a slight known or unknown.

This should have been nipped in the bud instead of the school turning a blind eye and parents not knowing or caring at the time. Not to mention the police.

No type of violence should be tolerated, be it racially motivated or otherwise. All guiltly should be held accountable for their actions.

By: Are_you_serious on 11/18/09
Going back to 1997 I was jumped and stabbed by seven somilian students across the Jr High and then in 1998 I was jumped by five more here is the deal the seven that jumped me when I was only 15 year old were 3 mothers and 4 men and not one thing happen to them I was charged and my parents were order to pay for their medical bills and I mean she was garnished for the medical bills from her paycheck. Like her taxes were not enough. Secondly when I was jumped in Highschool MR Grant kicked me out of school for what they claim as for my personal safety in both situations I was charged because of the damage thay I did to those and that was not fair not one damn thing happen to those somilian individuals that were involved so I am happy to report that nothing will change because like the judge told me "in their country they kill and I was lucky" well news flash they wanted to be in their country perhaps they should be punished as if they were in their home land. BEcause I am sure I could have done more that a metal plate in the head and jaw and a broken arm believe I could have done a lot worse because the second attack happen when I was pregnant so I was fighting for my baby's life. SO that is what it comes down to these somlian indivduals will not be held accountable becasue there is a "language barrier and they don't know better" that is what was explained to me. So to the victim's family may god be with you and your child and hope he recovers but that war will never end because they simply can get away from it and no punishment. SO perhaps taking it into ur own hands is an option then again it will keep happening. So good luck and perhaps higher a private lawyer and go that route.

By: Are_you_serious on 11/18/09
Another though about the person that says these somilian kids come from a country that war is normal I think that you are mistaken becasue it was their family a majority of them were born USA citizens and lived here their whole life so I don't buy that crap. Becasue there are childrent that are beaten daily and wars in their own home and don't go artound acting like wild animals

By: NewHome on 11/18/09
When I was talking earlier about hysteria? Yes, it has now happened....the kids were smarter than the police....fight was "rescheduled" at the park and now the "rumor" is that a gun is being brought to school tomorrow and more bag checks. When is enough going to be enough.

By: ridiculous on 11/19/09
Looks like more parents will be keeping their kids home once again in fear of safety!! Kudos to the high school!!

By: ThePeaceKeeper on 11/19/09
Okay i believe that this school is honestly turning into a inner city gang banging educational building. I attend owatonna senior high and it is ridiculous that i cant walk down one hallway without running into 5 police officers...I don't take sides but somewhere you have to draw a line

By: scorptile on 11/19/09
im sorry to say this but i grew up in indianapolis three blocks from the projects. All the years i went to school and such all altercations was settled mano e mano not gangstyle. Also to call this town racist like a somolian said in the other article is bogus. I have tons of black friends, and graduated with them. I knew gang members as well and when there was a problem between one guy and another they settled it like men. I only know of one incident close to where i lived where someone got jumped by 5 guys but then again this was also the same type of guy that would have did it himself. It sounds to me that its not the community that is causing teh problems but the somolian community. and what the one child's opinion was and he wrote about for a blog falls under the constitution. its like ive noticed while working with somolians at viracon and truth that if they dont get their way they throw tantrums and their community screams back racists. its pretty disgusting that it has come down to one group in teh community thinking it has to take justice into their own hands and beat up people and kids beating up other kids. All i know if it was my son that got jumped and beat up like that gang style you sure as hell would bet gang style tactics back towards those same individuals.

By: veeny009 on 11/19/09
so if they did it to you gang style it's wrong, but if you do it back to them its justified?

By: charliebrown on 11/19/09
I cannot comment on the blog so I will do it here.

BigBen7 said the student should of been suspended for writing what he did. I disagree, the teacher should of squelched it before it got to the blog.

Lazy-you writing is giving every person named abdi a bad name.

By: ss_observing on 11/20/09
I disagree. The teacher should not have squelched it before it got to the blog. He completed and assignment according to instructions. Squelching it is called censorship. Maybe the idea of an opinion paper wasn't the greatest idea (without restrictions). During the intitial assignment is where guidelines should have been given.

By: PhillyNow on 11/20/09
Has anyone heard anything about the existence of a Somalian created "OHS Hit list"? Rumor?