Tensions mount at OHS on Owatonna

OWATONNA — They’re frustrated, they’re concerned, and, frankly, they’re scared.
Parents of several Owatonna High School students involved in what the parents say was a racially motivated fight at OHS on Monday are questioning whether the school administration is doing enough to prevent such fights from happening.
Monday’s altercation between four white students and a group of Somali students — how many Somalis were actively involved is in dispute — ended with one of the white students going to the hospital. The student, a senior at OHS, spent the night in the hospital after medical personnel feared that he might have swelling on the brain.
And the parents fear that the violence — violence that the parents consider to be a “hate crime” — is far from over.
“I’m concerned not just for our own children, but for everybody else’s,” said the mother of one of the boys.
The high school students and their parents spoke on the condition of anonymity, saying they feared further threats and violence if their names were made public.
But as angry as the parents are about Monday’s fight, they are equally upset with the actions — or what they say is inaction — by the high school administration to address their concerns about what happened on Monday and the days leading up to it.
“Our frustration is that they knew something might happen,” one parent said Wednesday. “Why didn’t they do anything?”
And, the parents contend, ever since Monday’s incident, the administration has not responded to their concerns.
When news of the altercation began to filter back to parents, several parents went to the high school to find out what had happened and to make certain their children were safe. Only when the parents, about 15 in all, gathered in a conference at the school did they begin to get some answers from the administration about the incident, the parents said. And even then, they said, the answers weren’t satisfying.
“They said they didn’t have any information for us,” one parent said. “They said they were still in the interviewing process and couldn’t tell us anything.”
“They’re failing to protect the students in the school,” another parent added. “And they’re still not addressing them today.”
But administrators from the Owatonna school district said Wednesday afternoon that the school is addressing the issue. The problem, school officials said, was that at the time the parents first approached the school on Monday, the administrators were trying to sort out exactly what happened and what actions needed to be taken.
“They wanted instant results,” said OHS Principal Don Johnson. “Within two hours everyone wanted it determined who all the guilty parties were, what they did and what should be done. That’s unrealistic.”
Furthermore, Johnson said, the reaction of some of the parents, especially the parents of the white children involved in Monday’s incident, has only exacerbated the problems at the school.
“The fear of the parents has instilled fear within the students,” Johnson said. “And the fear of their children is creating fear among other students.”

Monday’s fight
Although the actual fight between the white students and the Somali students happened Monday, the parties agree that the roots of the fight can be traced back to a paper written for an English composition class earlier in the month.
The senior who ended up in the hospital on Monday was given an assignment to write a paper for the class and post it on the class’ blog for other students to read and comment on. He posted the paper on Friday, Nov. 6.

He chose as his topic what he called “Somalian privileges” and wrote in his paper that the Somali students in the high school were allowed to “bend the rules.” As one example, he said that though most students weren’t allowed to wear hats in school, the Somali students routinely wore hats without being told to take them off.
Within a half hour, after the class had been dismissed, he was surrounded by a “pretty big group” of Somali students who had been given copies of the paper from other students in the class, the boy said. The Somalis were, the boy said, “pushing, yelling and asking questions” — specifically asking him if he had written the paper.
The boy, who is on work release allowing him to leave school early, left and went to the place where his mother works. A few hours later, the mother received a telephone call from one of the school’s vice principals who first informed the mother about the incident and about the paper that had been posted online.
“No threats were made,” OHS Vice Principal Julie Sullivan said Wednesday about the Nov. 6th incident.
Sullivan did say that she was approached that day by several Somali students who were upset about what the boy had written on the class blog.
The next Tuesday — there were no classes on Monday — the boy and his mother met with Sullivan after the vice principal had called Monday evening requesting a meeting. At that meeting, Sullivan informed the pair that the boy was going to be suspended for four days because of what he had written in the paper.
“I was not happy for him writing that paper,” the mother said.
But, she said, although the official paperwork says the boy was being suspended for “language and inappropriate comments” and that the vice president did talk “briefly” about the paper, the real reason the boy was suspended was concerns by the administration that the boy might be attacked if he remained in school.
“She mentioned that several times,” the mother said of Sullivan. “She said it was for his safety.”
It is a point that school administrators reject handily.
“The reason he was suspended was for what he had written,” Johnson said. “It was inappropriate, inflammatory and inaccurate.”
Johnson did acknowledge that he and Sullivan had discussed that as “byproduct” of the suspension, the boy would “not be available to be threatened.” But, he emphasized, the boy was not suspended to protect him from any threat or perceived threat.
What’s more, he said, administrators were not concerned at that time that the boy was in any danger of being attacked when he returned to school.
“We were expecting the four or five days to be a cooling off period,” Johnson said.
And, he said, there was no specific plan on what to do when the boy returned to school the following Tuesday.
“We suspend students regularly for saying or doing things inappropriately,” Johnson said. “We do not on a regular basis have something that includes a re-entry program.”
He said, however, that if a parent or a student calls the school with a concern about the student’s safety when the student returns to school, then the school will address those concerns. But, he said, they did not receive such a call.
What’s more, he said, on the weekend before the boy returned to school, the boy sent text messages to some Somali students — messages that Johnson characterized as “inflammatory.”
The boy’s mother acknowledged Wednesday that she had been told this week about the text messages, but said that the message was only that the boy was not going to apologize to the Somali students for what he had written in his paper.
Shortly after the boy returned to school Monday, the incident began.
The boy was sitting with three of his friends in the school’s C Plaza when, he said, he was approached by a group of Somali students.
“They were out for blood,” one of his friends said.
The boys said that at least 30, perhaps as many as 40, Somali students were involved in the altercation. School officials dispute that number, saying that some of the Somalis who were there were bystanders who were watching the fight take place. Owatonna Police Chief Shaun LaDue, whose department is investigating the incident, said Wednesday that “no less than 20 people” were involved in some fashion in the incident.
The boys said that many of the Somalis involved in the fight approached the boy after wrapping their hands with bandanas. When the boy’s friends rose to help their friend, they, too, were caught up in the fight, they said.
After the fight was broken up, the boy’s mother was called to the school. He complained about a headache and had four bumps on his head. When his mother took him to the hospital ER, the hospital kept him overnight for observation.
Representatives from the Somali community declined comment, saying only that they, too, were worried about the children’s safety and were afraid of retaliation to the Somali community.
“We want peace,” a representative said.

An escalating problem?
Monday’s fight wasn’t the first such incident, said Chief LaDue, though the earlier incident involved a different cast of characters. The two incidents, however, are similar in other respects.
In the first incident, a letter was written with disparaging remarks made about a local Somali restaurant and the people who frequent it. A group of Somali students approached the letter writer and said something to him. By some accounts, the letter writer was hit in the head.
But, LaDue said, the first incident did not rise to the level of Monday’s fight.
“This has been escalating,” he said, adding that the two incidents, both happening within the last month, were the first incidents of racial tension that he has seen at the school.
LaDue said that after the first incident, school officials did intervene and get involved.
“They thought they had the problem rectified,” he said. “They certainly didn’t take it lightly.”
Following Monday’s incident, however, parents are questioning whether the school is doing enough to make sure the students are safe. They question why school officials did not inform the staff about the boy’s suspension for writing the paper, why the students haven’t been approached about the issue, and why there are not more teachers on the lookout for any potential problems.
“They should’ve called in the forces,” one parent said. “The students should’ve been addressed after the first letter was sent.”
“These people running the school, what the hell are they thinking?” another parent added.
Johnson said that the school does not send out notices to teachers if a student has been suspended.
“There’s no particular reason to send a message,” he said.
He said that he has spoken to the teachers “in the broader sense” about the tension between the white and Somali population in the school and has since sent a notice out to teachers about the students involved, asking them to pay attention and to monitor more closely what is going on in the hallways. And, he said, at the end of the school day on Wednesday, he got on the intercom and addressed the issue with the student body.
“I said, ‘This is not who we are at OHS. This is not how we treat each other here,’” he said.
Additional altercations were reported at the school on Wednesday.

What’s next?
Monday’s incident has been turned over to the Owatonna Police Department for investigation, LaDue said Wednesday. His department is considering charges of disorderly conduct and fifth-degree assault, LaDue said. And, he said, it is possible that hate crime provisions could be attached to the charges, making them more serious. But, he added, such investigations take time and the community needs to be patient.
“Let’s give the system the opportunity to work,” he said.
In the meantime, the school district has met with parents from both sides of Monday’s incident and plan to meet with them again.
“We are responding to the issue,” said Dr. Tom Tapper, the Owatonna school district superintendent.
On Wednesday afternoon, Tapper met with administrators from the various schools to talk about the next steps and to learn from police how the investigation was going.
“We are developing the opportunity to have a community forum about what’s taking place not only in our schools, but in our community as a whole,” Tapper said. “But we have to get through this incident first. Then we can get people back to a perspective that is calm and insightful.”
As for the parents of some of the boys involved in Monday’s incident, they said they plan to attend next week’s school board meeting to express their concerns.
“If the school is not going to protect our kids, we’re going to protect our kids,” a parent said.

Jeffrey Jackson can be reached at 444-2371.

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Member Opinions: By: NewHome on 11/19/09 “They wanted instant results,” said OHS Principal Don Johnson. “Within two hours everyone wanted it determined who all the guilty parties were, what they did and what should be done. That’s unrealistic.” Furthermore, Johnson said, the reaction of some of the parents, especially the parents of the white children involved in Monday’s incident, has only exacerbated the problems at the school." The above is crap, forgive my language! The school exacerbated the problems by their ever changing stories and the ongoing threats against the students. Never in my life have I ever seen such a cover up happen! By: ynotme on 11/19/09 Refugee status does not mean diplomatic status. White does not mean wrong or evil..don't ask for an opinion paper if you don't want an opinion paper. Inappropriate, sounds like it....grounds for a gang beating, no. By: rjg on 11/19/09 Both of your opinions are great!! If the paper was inappropriate, inflammatory and inaccurate then why didn't the paper get proof read before it was posted on the school public blog? By: fairandbalanced on 11/19/09 This has been going on for years at OHS. My nephews (white kids) were playing basketball when a couple of Somali kids demanded they give up their side of the court so they could shoot baskets. When my nephews refused, the Somali kids started hitting and kicking them. Thankfully no one was injured as bad as the fight at OHS on Monday, but, it was my nephews who ended up having to go to court and then got sentenced to some community service work and anger management classes. This happened around 6 or 7 seven years ago. The Somalian students were given preference in this case and they are the ones who started the trouble! By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 A student writes about how s/he observes school officials not enforcing the rules equally and so the student gets beat up AND suspended? Oh yeah...schools are definitely a "Free Speech Zone." By: oli on 11/19/09 I'm not understanding why this boy was suspended from school for writing an "opinion" paper with his opinions. How it is sounding, these Somalian kids are still able to go to school and nothing has been done YET - it's now Thursday and this happened on Monday. I think that would be plenty of time to have some sort of punishment in place. I'm positive if it was the other way around every newspaper/tv reporter would be in Owatonna and the (white) kids involved would not be allowed on school property. By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 http://www.exodusmandate.org/ By: tanred on 11/19/09 The only opinions that are currently politically correct are anti-chritianity, anti-conservatives, anti-bush administration, anti-weathly, anti-successful businesses, pro-big government,etc. The school should have made it clear what opinions they find acceptable. I did not read this students blog so can not speak to it. In general, if a school asks students to write an opinion paper they should be prepared for all kinds of opinions. And I agree that the teacher should proof the papers first. Most opinions are going to inflame someone. Can't please everyone. By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 And good luck getting "hate crime" charges brought against the non-white perpetrators OR having any of the "[r]epresentatives from the Somali community" calling for such. Now, like good little sheep, let's all bow to the god of "political correctness," after which we'll return to "sensitivity training" class. P.S. If I knew who that student-writer was I'd thank him/her personally for their courage to call on the carpet both the school administration AND the rule benders. S/he should get an award! By: atlascollapsed on 11/19/09 Still sounds to me like there is still lots of information that needs to come out. The fact only one student has been "disciplined" seems to be selective application of school rules. From page 12 of the OHS student handbook: FIGHTING ON SCHOOL GROUNDS Students involved in fighting on school grounds will be suspended from classes for the remainder of the day and possibly up to 5 or more days, depending upon the circumstances and severity. Law enforcement officials will also be contacted and assault charges filed. Reoccurrence of fighting can result in increased suspension time or expulsion. Disputes: Students who find themselves in an argument or dispute with another student are encouraged to contact the School Social Worker or their school counselor to arrange for mediation before a fight occurs. They are ready and prepared to help you solve your minor problem before it becomes a MAJOR problem! Doesn't sound like either side in this dispute is innocent to me. By: common09 on 11/19/09 I agree the political correctness is political b____. Society does not want to offend anyone, but the way I see it, no matter what culture a person is from, this is the United States, and everyone should have to abide by our rules and laws. Now I don't agree with the content in these papers that were written, and like someone stated, the teachers should have proof read them before they were posted. I think the school administration has totally mishandled this situation. I have 2 kids that do not feel 'safe' walking the hallways of the Highschool. The school also needs to address the harassment and grabbing of girls in the hallways by Somolians. This has been brought to the schools attention, but nothing has been done there also. By: careingmom on 11/19/09 This has been going in owatonna Schools for year's like the person said in comment early posted ... Its just not at the High School ! P.S I know is may be off the story but I would really like to Know how Somali's can go the Family to Family get things for their familys When they dont belive in christmas ! By: Mike on 11/19/09 I hope the lesson and any follow-up lesson on persuasive writing included a discussion of the fact that words have consequences, especially words publicly proclaimed on blogs and even words proclaimed by unnamed sources. By: Lily on 11/19/09 if in fact the somalian's were receiving "different" treatment, ie they have a prayer room at the high school. is there a catholic or luthern or baptist prayer room? i think not, the kid was probably right in his blog and the admin doesn't like their faults shown!! By: university on 11/19/09 OMG THIS WHOLE THING IS UNBELIEVABLE! WHAT IS NEXT!!!!!! By: ridiculous on 11/19/09 "saying that some of the Somalis who were there were bystanders who were watching the fight take place." hmmm... so is this not just like murder AFTER the fact OR accessory for not stopping something?? I think so - Hate Crime - OBVIOUSLY!!!!!!! Kudos to whoever wrote that "OPINION" for it is exactly what he was asked to write, an "OPINION." Now should he get beat for it?? We as Christians cannot say or even mention God or Merry Christmas because it's politically incorrect, this is the United States people, ONE NATION UNDER GOD! This has been an ongoing problem and is going to continue to escalate, yes education is a great thing and couldn't hurt but NOBODY is going to teach this sort of education because they are fearful of retaliation or being 'politically correct.' Other cultures came here for freedom of speech and a better way of living and now look - we no longer have freedom of speech and soon enough you will see - our country will be just as unsafe as the middle east. By: kadrmas21 on 11/19/09 I agree this is a serious issue. Principal Don Johnson is full of crap and he knows it. What he said is a huge cop-out and nothing more. He is already trying to sweep this thing under the rug. I am glad the Police Department is at least looking at this seriously because the school administration sure as heck is not. I can guarantee you if the situation was reversed and it was white students beating up Somali's that the administration would be all over it. However since it is Somali students beating up white kids they handle it differently because it would be politically incorrect to hold the Somali students accountable. Basically, what this issue seems to really be about is, a kid told the truth about what the administration was doing. About how Somali kids get special rights that no one else in the school gets, especially white kids do not get them. OF course what a shock that the person(s) suspended were not the Somali kids who put the white kid in the hospital but rather the white kid for writing the paper. He writes a politically incorrect paper and gets suspended, yet the Somali students who put him in the hospital get a pass from the school district. No suspension, no detention nothing. They should be expelled in my opinion. I think a white student that put a Somali student in the hospital would be expelled or at least be given a lengthy suspension. Chief LaDue though did tell a sad truth. He would like to charge this as a hate crime because to me that is what it appears to be. The Somali's were beating up on the white kid because he was white and posted a paper that they did nit like. Yet when have you ever heard of someone getting charged with a hate crime when the victim was white? Never happens. I just hope the Police Department charges these punks, they need to know that this kind of behavior is unacceptable. By: lberkland on 11/19/09 sissyrocks i feel for you. my sister was also victim of violence from a somali back in the 90's. he came at her with a bat. the police were called and he went to jail and was departed back to somila for what he did. university who knows what is next. it mite not be good. If my son was in high school i wouldnt be sending him to school until all of this is takin care of. By: Mike on 11/19/09 Why don't we get all the facts before we decide who should be blamed for what? Mob rule is not justifiable, even in response to mob rule. By: KevinB on 11/19/09 Amerika Press one for English This is sad. Both sides are at fault, but the Somali's are given a chance, brought/come to America and a new life. They do not feel or act as if our laws/rules and culture should affect them, acting as America should change to accomodaye them. What? They want America to be like Somolia?? This is AMerica. Keep yourt culture, but remember you came to our Country. Learn it, live it, or leave it!! By: just_my_opinion on 11/19/09 I completely agree with the boy who wrote the paper !! WHY is there reverse discrimination ?? WHY do "they" get to wear head coverings when our kids don't ? WHY do they get to leave class to 'pray' when our kids can't ? WHY are there so many 'provisions' made for them ? Is the administration that afraid of affirmative action laws that they overreact the opposite way ? Don't get me wrong,there are plenty of good Somolians out there. Take for instance the gentleman who became a citizen and works hard every day at Willow Creek as a janitor ! We should all learn a lesson from him - no matter what color you are ! And on the same note, there is trash out there - Black trash, brown trash, red trash and yes, WHITE trash. I think it's about time EVERYONE start being treated equally - maybe based on your morals and values instead of your color. How about - if you are respectful and don't cause problems at school - you can wear a hat ? How about - if you have a religion and want to pray, that you are given 5 minutes a day ? hmmm...thought provoking. By: Mike on 11/19/09 You have a valid point, Kevin. So do those who would argue that coming to this country does not mean you "asked for" bigotry. The violence is unacceptable in any situation by anyone. Perhaps, however, this is a reflection of a larger and more frightening mentality: i.e., if you oppose abortion, kill the doctor who performs it, or, if you don't like governmental policies, take to the streets shouting and threatening. There are responsible ways to exercise free speech and there are responsible ways to respond to free speech with which you disagree. Sounds like today's lesson plans have been written. By: wireless on 11/19/09 Its unbelievable to me that in each instance the somali's were the ones to approach the "white" Kids and instigate the fights , Papers are written opinion's are expressed all the time , read them or dont read them , But to approach the paper writer and start the fight and the "white" Kid get's suspended ?? WOW i say the kids paper was right , they need to stop pussyfootin around these people and put punishment where the punishment belongs ....Im not sure who said it but i think the school is guilty of reverse racism and they shouldnt go unpunished either !! By: ksanh68 on 11/19/09 Consider the motivation behind a writer's words they express through opinion and text message postings before freedom of speech is used as a shield. Race baiting is the use of racially derisive language, actions or other forms of communication, to anger, intimidate or incite a person or groups of people, or to make those persons behave in ways that are hostile, and often harmful to their personal or group interests. Why not get facts instead fanning the flame with rumors, old scores, religion, etc.? By: ss_observing on 11/19/09 Possibly one of the fastest methods of retribution (if anyone has the guts to pursue it) is to check their immigration status - and then send them home. I am appalled at the lack of respect and discipline that this group of people exhibit. Yes, I have experienced it first hand and I have observed it first hand. This is not my opinion - it is fact. All you had to do to experience it was to attend graduation last year, or just go to the grocery store. By: secretsquirrel on 11/19/09 We now have the makings of a local movie: "Huskie Down." Anyone care to venture a guess as to how long it will take for the mandated diversity training to begin? Changes in school policy? More forceful verbage in the school handbook? "Hate crime." Love it! As if the cause somehow impacts the results? Just enforce the rules equally across the board and there IS no issue. I agree that this is just the beginning of the story and a LOT more will come out of this in the ensuing weeks. I look forward to it. Maybe this explains why yesterday sounded like the OPD were testing out new sirens on every car in the fleet? It will be interesting to see how this is handled with parity and positive results. It sounds like an episode from the History channel series: Gangland. Which makes me wonder if our high schools are turning into prisons rather than bastions of academic excellence. The simple fact that groups of kids beat the tar out of a few is a testament to the cowardly approach some take to what once was considered a rite of passage in school: The playground fight. One on one, toe to toe. Now it's a matter of gang up and stomp stomp stomp. My kids know they would have their little butts kicked around the block a few times if I EVER heard of them ganging up on a kid for ANY reason. This reads like a school out of control. If they want to act like animals, treat them as such because it is all they will understand. Before anyone starts screaming "Racist!" bear in mind that the word 'they' is universally applicable and any inference the reader draws from the word is based upon their own prejudices and preconceptions. Final thought: Will the next contract proposal by the OEA include a clause for 'Combat Pay?' It ought to. Okay, one more FINAL final thought: Yes, they were given an opportunity to come to this country but no one said they have to eat crap for the privilege. The expectation was merely to be productive and law abiding. I do not have an issue with one of them handing that kid his hind end for making offensive remarks. I DO have a problem with 20 of the little cowards beating the tar out of a much smaller group. By: atlascollapsed on 11/19/09 I think the a follow up article investigating some the claims made in this forum about "special rights and priviledges" is in order. If they are true something needs to be done. We can get F. Lee Pookah on the case. Also, just my opinion, but the rhetoric should be turned down just a tad. I'm by no means pro immigration or all about diversity and tolerange but there are some pretty sweeping generalizations being flung around. I have met some very wonderful Somali immigrants. I've also met some who are pretty much turds. Lumping them all together almost defeats the validity of any arguement made. Like I said, just my opinion. By: Forsure. on 11/19/09 I am a Senior at the OHS. And I would just like to say a few things. 1. I think it is bull crap that the school is saying they are doing something about this when we all know they are not. They let the Somali students get away with everything. A few examples: They are allowed to wear there hats and we are not. They are allowed to get out of class early to go pray and we are not. We are not even allowed to talk about God in class. They are allowed to speak there language and the Mexicans can't speak Spanish. When we have pork for lunch they are made special foods because they can't eat that stuff. Well guess what thats just to damn bad. I have been raised to know that everyone bleeds red we are all the same. I don't care if you are yellow green white or purple. You bleed red just like the rest of us. I don't think it is fair that they get what they want because if we don't give it to them they think we are being racist. That's not it...If they don't like how things are going here leave. We all wouldn't mind. Im glad the student had the guts to write that paper. They need to be told what to do and how to do it. You come to our country you should obey our rules. And it's not just the school.. I mean they get there own buildings to go pray in. They are given free houses and cars and cell phones and jobs. Its not fair. Our world is turning to hell. Am i being racist. No. But I am being realistic. The school should have known a long time ago that things like this were going to happen. You can't treat one group of kids different then the rest. That right there is terrible. I don't want Don Johnson to say he is doing everything he can to keep the student safe when he is not!. You want to keep us safe? Here is an idea.. why don't you give all the kids the same rights. We took our a class in the OHS just to give the Somalis a room to pray..how do we know they are even praying. For all we known they could be planing something. Just like anyone else who had the ability to do that. You can change how things are being run in our school but you don't. Your not being racist if you are telling them to obey our rules. If they don't like it they can leave. It is as simple as that. By: NewHome on 11/19/09 secretsquirrel, very well said, as I had stated earlier, I was and am concerned about the hysteria this is causing. The above article was ill written and is only fanning the flames. Many comments above only further clarify what a lack of the facts can do to a community as a whole. My only wish is that adults on all sides will keep a level head and be a good example to the children. By: commoncitizen on 11/19/09 Life is full of perspectives. Guess it depends on which side of the glass you are looking through. I noticed nobody mentioned the Somalian restaurant with the busted windows. The kids that instigated the fight should be punished, as should the kids (I can only assume, since I used to be one myself) who broke the windows. On the other hand, perhaps we should look at the parents. We reap what we sow, and when we sow contempt, what do we expect in return. It all boils down to responsibility, which we increasingly show less of with each passing generation. By: ss_observing on 11/19/09 My apologies NewHome, but I don't see that the level heads concept has accomplished much with regard to this particular situation. We are beyond that. It's time for some ACTION and some results. This has been a long time coming and it needs to STOP! Forsure did not say anything that isn't true (probably the same as the original "opinion" paper) and should not be condemned, and certainly not beaten, for stating facts. Actually, the level head concept, in this case, appears to be equivalent to "bury it in the sand" and it will go away on its own. By: ridiculous on 11/19/09 Someones child was beaten and put in the hospital and the adults are suppose to keep a level head? The only fact here that matters is that someone NO MATTER what color was jumped IN school - somewhere that is suppose to be safe - and NOTHING is being done? Are ALL students involved being punished? The HS does have cameras... look at them, find the students and say buh bye! I'm even pretty sure the parents of the student that was jumped probably wouldn't be heartbroken if their child was expelled who wants to send their children to a warzone like the high school, if that were the case they'd sign them up for the army. By: ss_observing on 11/19/09 PS - and I find it ironic that the children of Owatonna have more guts to stand up for an injustice that the adults. By: wolfman on 11/19/09 I agree with most all the opinions that I have read. The cops should treat this as a crime, felony to be exact. Freedom of speech is gone from not only the school, but everywhere else. Political correctness is bologna! But, my question is this, if we don't like the way things are, then it is up to us the PEOPLE to change it!!! Take our COUNTRY back, and tell the politicians of Owatonna and the State and Country that we HAVE HAD ENOUGH of your bologna!!! It's time to stop worrying about politics and become a Nation again, and quit letting the government and special intrest groups have all this control. Welcome to America!! By: steele_this on 11/19/09 So maybe the white student wrote some inappropriate things about the other students.. BUT the fact is, these students premeditated the attack, gathered up 40 or so kids, and jumped this 1 student! HELLO?! There is a difference between writing something inappropriate, and doing something awful. These 40 or so kids could have killed this 1 kid. And the school staff is saying the 1 white kid is to blame? I am seriously thinking of moving out of this district now. I do not want my child having to go to this school, and having to go through this stuff. And how dare the principal put down the parents for fearing for their children's lives. Pardon them for caring about their kids' well being. Just makes me sick to be an Owatonnan. By: Mike on 11/19/09 Forsure, I assume you have better writing skills than your post suggests. After all, I would assume your FIRST language is English and you are in a majority in most ways. You have a perspective, and you have a right to express it. Others have a right to disagree. That does not make either opinion the truth. Try to remember that YOU are among the privileged. For example, those students who "get to" park in handicapped parking places near the door are not reated equally with non-handicapped students, to be sure. But it IS fair! By: ohsindy on 11/19/09 Zero tolerance gives all the power to the bullies. The administration were well aware of the threats to the boy who wrote the paper and did nothing. Threats are not taken seriously. The only option zero tolerance gives is to run and keep running. Bullies win every time. Especially in a mob like this. By: Newbie on 11/19/09 Are the boys responsible for beating this boy up still at school? Have they been suspended? If not, why not? If it were my child who was being treated this way, such a horrible double standard, I would be suing! Too bad there aren't any other options for High School in this town. By: taxpayer02 on 11/19/09 I hope the parents of the white kids who were beat up do sue the school system. I'm tired of Owatonna schools looking the other way because they don't have a back bone. By: Common-Joe on 11/19/09 Kumbaya, My Lord... Kumbaya. By: mjnyles81 on 11/19/09 This makes me REALLY happy I am done with OHS. I will wait 14 years when my daughter "gets to" go to this high school and hopefully she will have the patience to live in fear. I hope the student that has the courage to write a paper like that is an english teacher at that time. The day brawn is more welcomed in school over intellect is the day my daughter is home-schooled. By: BigBen7 on 11/19/09 firstly, i see a lot of people referencing freedom of speech. this student does not have full freedom of speech rights within a school. the courts decided that a long time ago and have upheld it several times in a variety of different cases from what is written to what is said to what is worn on a shirt. so, this is not a freedom of speech issue. secondly, let's remember that every opinion on this site is just that, an opinion. some write as if they have facts, but i would be willing to bet that many are using 2nd hand or worse information. the old i heard from a friend who heard from a friend who heard from a person involved. these are dangerous "facts" to be throwing around. unless you are directly involved with direct knowledge of everything the school system has done, you don't know what is happening or not happening. schools have to deal with major issues of data privacy and cannot say often times what is being done and who has been and who hasn't been punished. thirdly, for those upset that the student was beat up and suspended. please note that he was suspended first as a result of what he wrote. when he came back, the altercation took place. he was not punished after getting beat up. fourthly, i agree everyone involved should be punished and soon. however, remember that the school has to have evidence and proof of who was involved before taking action. if they act quickly, they could end up facing a lawsuit for wrongly punishing a student. then how many would be screaming because they are idiots and didn't properly investigate and are costing tax payers money? alo, there are other options for high school in owatonna. i know several people who send their children to Owatonna Christian School. finally, and this is petty but i need to say it, please let's not use the term reverse racism. whether it is black on white hatred, white on black hatred, black on hispanic, or whatever combo you want to use, it is simply racism. By: papatim on 11/19/09 It would be interesting to see the paper written by the student. Maybe each of us need to determine if the paper “... was inappropriate, inflammatory and inaccurate.” It is easy to caim that without having to prove it. PC is the name of the game any more. By: katokid88 on 11/19/09 papatim... are you sticking up for the somolian kids that hurt that white kid? no amount of words, NO MATTER WHAT, is worth putting someone in the hospital! that immature, irrisponsible, and shows absolutely no self control. if theyre going to be here, they need to prove their allowed to, and beating up someone because their opinion seems a little biased, (yet is absolutely true) is a very good reason to be sent home. if kids misbehave in school, they get sent home, if immigrants and refugess misbehave in america, SEND THEM HOME TOO!!!!! By: wireless on 11/19/09 I believe the principal of OHS should be fired for not having the brains to take appropriate actions to this problem! Zero tolerance, means exactly that zero tolerance on both sides , not just attacking the "white Kids" !! If you don't have the guts to enforce it , you don't have control of your school. By: ohsindy on 11/19/09 To keep some perspective on how seriously the administration takes threats of violence people should know that the paper the boy wrote was left up on the school blog site for student viewing for 11 days after his suspension. Parents requested the administration to take it down on the day after Mondays attack. If it was inflammatory enough to suspend a kid...it seems like you would want to remove it from the site. By: ridiculous on 11/19/09 would've liked to read that paper they wrote... maybe he wasn't bashing on the somalians, maybe more so the administration? By: kadrmas21 on 11/19/09 Mike, how about you quit standing up for these thugs and quit twisting the facts? This is not an attack on all Somali's and you know it. You even implied earlier that the student who wrote the paper was a bigot all because he told the truth that Somali's were given certain rights that other students were not. Once again Mike the liberal race baiting. Interesting how when the Somali kids beat up the white kid and put him in the hospital all because he said some politically incorrect things in a paper that is acceptable but it is not acceptable for him to write the paper? What the heck is wrong with you man? Also Mike, nice spin job but it does not fly. Comparing handicapped students to Somali's? Handicapped students are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, they are protected under the law for something they cannot control. Huge difference there. No one is telling these Somali kids to dump their culture or religion. At least I am not. The problem I have with it is when THEY get to pray and get allowed outside of class to do it when Christian students are not allowed to pray or even talk about God in the classroom without expecting to be rebuffed or disciplined. I will say, REGARDLESS of what the kid wrote in his paper, there is no excuse for what these kids did in beating him up and putting him in the hospital. NONE. For Mike or paptim to sit there and try to justify this behavior is ridiculous. When you do not like what someone writes in a paper, you tell them you do not like it or respectfully disagree and move on. You do not go and beat them up. There is no justification for that type of behavior at all. Hey, I like to play devil's advocate too but in this instance there is no excuse for this. Why do I have a feeling if a group of white kids beat up a Somali kid and put him in the hospital, Mike and papatim would be the first people assuming it was a racial attack? By: gopherfan22 on 11/19/09 So this kid gets in trouble for writing an oponion paper? That makes no sense, so he gets his head bashed in by alot somalians. Something needs to be done with these punks, they come here, they think they can do whatever the heck they want with no consequences, guess what? they moved here, they should have to conform to our rules, we shouldnt have to bend the rules for them By: tonnatownie on 11/19/09 What I would like to see is some response to the paper from the administration answering the claims that the child has made. Granted no one should be made to feel threatened - whether through words or actions - they may have felt that way. I am by NO MEANS sticking up for what they did. I myself have had run ins with the somali culture both good and bad through high school and beyond. Unfortunately it's seeming as though lately it is more bad than good. I hope that the boys that did the threatening and fighting got suspended as well. If they didn't then I feel that this child is rightful in his accusations of reverse prejudice at the high school. When i was there these things happened as well.. and this was less than 10 years ago. If only we knew what was in the paper and if they had a right to ask for an appology. Sometimes the truth hurts. By: veeny009 on 11/19/09 There is too much to read here, but in response to one part of "forsure"'s comment about how when the school serves pork they get different food because they can't eat pork. What about during lent when the school serves fish instead just because of catholics and other christian religions observing lent?... By: alittlebitofsugar on 11/19/09 THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU BigBen7. Also Mike and Ksahn for your posts. In reading the majority of the postings, I was wondering... 1. How many people have read the actual letter? How can you comment or suggest that the student was right without knowing the content. 2. Freedom of Speech. We have Freedom of Speech. You can write or say anything you want. We also have libel and defamation laws that place a price tag on unlawful Freedom of Speech. How about a little experiment. Go to your local "watering hole" late one evening and find the biggest guy you can find. While conversing, let him know what you think of his mother. You may be 100% correct in your assertion. I am sure he will remind you (while you are looking up from the floor) that while you have the Freedom of Speech you are also held accountable for what you say. I am not saying it is right, and agree that violence should be punished. By: wolfman on 11/19/09 I agree with you ss-observing on the kids standing up for the injustice and the adults not. So now is the time for the parents and adults to stand up for the injustice. I feel the the Somali community should find out who did this and turn them in, you are in America, Do the right thing? By: Brian_Sanburn on 11/19/09 "Principal Don Johnson is full of crap...." "...the principal put down the parents for fearing for their children's lives...." "I believe the principal of OHS should be fired...." "I don't want Don Johnson to say he is doing everything he can to keep the student safe when he is not!" Interesting perspectives and suggestions. But what of our school board and Superintendent? Are they to blame in full for this (some would say) predictable outcome? No. After all, "political correctness" and "cultural sensitivity" exist well outside the halls of our schools. Rather, we as voters and citizens have allowed these attitudes and behaviors to increase because we don't generally take the long view of today's actions. As an example, when Mr. Johnson, with full approval of Dr. Tapper, sent out the if-you-support-the-referendum-then-talk-to-your-friends-but-if-you-don't-support-the-referendum-then-keep-your-mouth-shut memo in April of 2008, how many people raised a stink? Not many. Are people surprised by his behavior? Why? There have been signs for a long time. By the way, good luck with getting him disciplined, much less dismissed. By: SoldieRatHeart on 11/19/09 Freedom of speech technically does not apply in high schools. im not sure all of the details about it, but its kinda like having a locker there; its yours but they can go through it. i agree with the religion issue, im a christian, what if i wanted to praise the one and only true God? OHS is supposed to be unaffiliated with religion i believe.i graduated last year, and this never happened, because nobody ever heard about it. there have always been tensions, but nobody messed with our class. a problem would be resolved after school somewhere other than school and that was that.another thing that i dont agree with is listening to the somalians talk in somali right in front of us. nobody knows what they are saying, they could be making threats to out face. personally being around somalis myself, they feel like they run the school. they never get in trouble. we cant have our hoods on our sweatshirts up but they can wear head dresses, but oh wait thats part of their religion - good thing i cant bring my Bible to school.i support the kid that wrote the paper. i personally know him. it is his opinion and he voiced it. everyday you here somalis walking through the halls calling us "white boys" or "cracker", as soon as the "N" word slips out all hell breaks loose. i feel as if they get treated better than everybody else. its ridiculous. they have teachers that basically do their work for them. they arent held accountable for anything and its just small stuff that gets old. for example we had a pork sandwich for luch (literally what was written on the board) highlited in red with a star, it said contains pork! Duh!Students at the OHS are not treated equal, no matter how much the faculty fight it. By: SportsMom on 11/19/09 I sent an e-mail to the school administrators regarding the rumors about the white students being suspended and the others involved were not. Here is the response I received: Contrary to what you have heard, the entire matter from this past Monday has been turned over to the Owatonna Police Department. Both our white and Somali students are being dealt with by both school and law enforcement authorities. I cannot tell you (due to privacy issues) what those actions are but I assure you that several suspensions from school have taken place and I anticipate that charges will soon be brought against several of these students by law enforcement officials. All of these students are being treated justly and fairly. Both white students and Somali students are at fault. By: Bobo777 on 11/19/09 NewHome, could you explain why this article was ill-written as you proclaim? This was written as matter of fact as possible - at least in my opinion. The only flaming rhetoric I am seeing is from readers trying to stir the pot with posts accusing the school district of political correctness, liberalism, anti-Christian, etc. That makes most of you no better or no different than those from other countries like Iran. And frankly, BigBen and atlast actually "get it." By: HappyKat on 11/19/09 I am so embarrassed and disgusted to be a part of a community with this attitude. What's next? A Hanging? Seriously people, what century do you live in? Hatred begets hatred. Clearly this issue did not start at OHS, it starts with the adults in this community who lead by example, both good and bad. Shame on you. By: Mozatta on 11/19/09 Unfortunately, this isn't just an issue with OHS. This is an issue with the State of MN. We hand out privileges and "free stuff" way too frequently. There's a reason that people who are "struggling" or "under privileged" come to Minnesota. Easiest state to get $$$ and free benefits. Until the State changes, this stuff will continue. You, me, we're all funding a bigger fraud than what's being talked about. By: jjackson on 11/19/09 This is Jeffrey Jackson, the managing editor of the Owatonna People's Press and the writer of this story. I would like to direct readers of this article and of these comments to a blog entry that I wrote this morning about this story, how it developed and why we approached it the way we did. To read the blog, please go to http://www.owatonna.com/news.php?viewStory=111956. By: kaitlynn55 on 11/19/09 Ok. I'm so upset by these posts that I am having a hard time gathering my thoughts. I think the paper needs to shut this down now. By: SoldieRatHeart on 11/19/09 I agree with happykat. it did start with the adults.. yeah? and? you like paying for everything they have so they dont have to work like everybody else? this is America. earn your freedom. Our ancestors died for it, we bought them a plain ticket for it. By: not-liberal on 11/19/09 HappyKat.......I'm proud to live in Owatonna, There is a reason it was ranked one of the top 100 small towns in the United States. I don't see us making that list anymore. I wonder why not? Do you have children at the high school? Ive had 2 graduate and 2 in high school now. You need to wake up!!!! This is a big problem....If you feel this way move, we dont need any more bleeding hearts in this town. By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 This is a huge opportunity for the larger Somali community. They can either come out publicly and condemn the attack and the preferential treatment the school, by all accounts, gives them and fully support the investigations OR not. Their response, or lack thereof, will be quite instructive. By: Thuljunior on 11/19/09 At the last Human Rights Commission meeting, several of the high schoolers there stated that the different ethnic groups at OHS all stay to themselves and are not very well integrated. If that is true, then this problem has been brewing for quite a while. But I think everyone needs to keep in mind that 'innocent until proven guilty' refers to the court system, not public opinion. Until all the facts are in, no one is in a position to judge these kids. And the public may never know all the facts-likely most of the kids involved are minors, which means the school and police may not be able to disclose all of the details without themselves breaking the law. By: ezduzzit on 11/19/09 I had to forward this article and your comments to a friend of mine who is currently drafting a report/story for the MN Historical Society on the KKK activity that once happened in Owatonna... After reading these comments I'm not so sure they ever left. By: slundber on 11/19/09 BigBen7: I agree with every word of your post. WELL SAID! See, I don't ALWAYS pick on you and your opinions. When your opinion agrees exactly with my opinion, that makes you a genius! Considering all that is happening, I feel fortunate that my children went to OHS when Jim Herzog was the principal. It's too bad people get older and retire, eh? By: EAG on 11/19/09 Your comment soldieRatheart, shows me that indeed race is a factor here considering your mind was made up BEFORE any of this happened. Spot on alittlebitofsugar! Fights happen at schools every year (and should be punished in all cases) and i've never seen this kind of reaction to a fight before now. By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 lazy, You're welcome...I think. By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 Would someone be willing to post the contents of the student's paper on the Topix site? It's at http://www.topix.net/forum/city/owatonna-mn. Thanks. By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 I see the OPP deleted the post by "abdi." Good thing I have a copy of what s/he said. Anyone want to see it? lol By: EAG on 11/19/09 Let's see the letter. Then I can formulate a somewhat better opinion. NT - Please let us know if it shows up over there. By: charliebrown on 11/19/09 rules are rules and they should be applied equally-without prejudice. The same consequences should be applied regardless of race, sex, religion etc. I have felt for some time that if Americans/citizens of the USA stand up for "their" rights, historical, religious practices they are called racist/bigots. I am all for immigration as long it is done legally and they obey our laws, pay taxes and pull their own weight. This opinion is the same for any color of skin. I think it is time that Americans stand up for their rights-the right to say the Pledge of Allegiance, have "God" on our currency, celebrate Christmas, Easter, use terms like, Christmas, God, etc. This has been our culture for years. We should not have to give up these rights for immigrants who disagree with them, but, they can have their own celebrations. We need to speak out or fear more will be taken away. If a dress code says no head coverings, it is no head coverings for all. If guys are to wear pants & shirts, all should have to abide by this dress code. A certain class should not have their own prayer room unless they let all religions have their prayer room. We have taken prayer at the flagpole away because of "Separation of Church & State" but allow a special prayer room. (allegedly). If students fight, apply the same rule to all. I hope this situation gets resolved peacefully, but we cannot sit back and watch our freedoms be taken away. By: charliebrown on 11/19/09 NoteTaker-please post it. Thanks By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 I've created an entry at http://www.topix.net/forum/city/owatonna-mn/T598HPDD25FCUDV14 for posting the contents of the student's paper. Again, if someone has an unaltered copy of it, please post it there. Thanks. By the way, I'm requesting it be posted over there so the OPP can't pull it down...I'm just sayin'. By: dusty90 on 11/19/09 I am a recent graduate from the Owatonna Senior High School. Racial tension has been an issue at the school for many years. Here are some things that i have personally seen with my own eyes throughout my high school career: Very obvious chosen segregation from the Somali students in the new addition of the school. Several fights between white and black students. One even resulted in a students head being put through a sheetrock wall. Somalian students being allowed to wear religious headware, BUT white student were never told they could not wear headware related to religion and heritage. And this is a FACT- Most male somali of the younger generation do have very aggressive act first think about the right thing to do later. They also seemed to have a strong dislike for other white male students. -however this does not speak for all male somali students, some are very well mannered respect all. If i remember right, and the staff is the same, most if not all of the teachers are female. Now it was wrong for the somali students to attack like that but i doubt there is much the female staff of that plaza could do to physically stop it. Also when i was a student at OHS in archery class a male somali student threated to shoot other students because he was upset with something and he was expelled. So its not always one sided. Lastly, i have always been disappointed with the school districts view on student saftey. Weather it be threats to the school where students are not informed, or unfair treatment between black and white, something needs to change. This if off subject but i come from a rural area. I cant count on my fingers and toes how many times in very bad weather in the wintertime school as been held anyways. I don't think they realize how bad country roads can get and i have personally been in a bad car wreck on my way to school on one of these days. The Owatonna school board needs to worry less a little about their own pocketbooks and focus more on excellent academics and student safety. By: dusty90 on 11/19/09 most of the teachers in the C wing of the highschool where the fight happened are female sorry! By: ridiculous* on 11/19/09 notetaker, keep that copy and post it up!!! By: jessysue on 11/19/09 Wow. Between the article and all of these posts, there are so many things to address but maybe I'll just start with one. My parents moved us to Owatonna in 1990. We are white. We were junior high and senior high ages. There were three of us in school. We were bullied, picked on, my sister had to have a police escort into the junior high for awhile because of some (white) girls that chose to gang up on her because she was new and pretty, my brother was beaten up because he was walking down the hall and an older (white) kid walked by and bumped him. Why? Because we were new. We weren't born here. I'm not excusing ANYONE in this current situation - just to point out that, with all of the many underlying issues in the article and posts, it's hard to miss the huge overlay of bully-mentallity that seems to be an ongoing constant. Why do we assume that the Somali people expect to be above the law? Who gives them their rights? We do. Who is worried about being "racist"? Not them. That would be us. So we tippy-toe around everything; we GIVE UP our rights and then get pissed. Who said they could pray in school but we can't? We did. We took prayer out of school, not the Somalians. As Christians we believe nothing is bigger or more powerful than God - if WE wanted Jesus in school, He'd be there! Sadly it seems the Somalians did the Mexicans a favor by coming to town because before they arrived all I ever heard about was the blankity-blank migrant workers. Apparently we always need someone to hate. Our youth look to correct injustice, have their voice heard, point out that "that's not fair!" and we don't give them the information they need. There are always misconceptions about interpreting rules, treatment, reasons, etc. So the Somalians can wear hats and noone else can. I'm just curious what kinds of hats? Before I can even have an opinion I need to know what kind of hats we are fighting about. Baseball hats? Let me know. Point is that it is our job as grown ups (and school leaders, peer leaders, youth leaders, world leaders) to listen. Listen and don't dismiss when young people feel there is injustice. You may try but you should not teach people WHAT to think, only HOW to think. The white kids are frustrated that the implication is the Somali kids get away with more. They may TRULY feel this way... or they may think they do because they've grown up listening to their parents and the community complain about how the Somalians supposedly came over here and took all of our rights away and expect to be above the law. THIS is why we shouldn't even TRY to teach them WHAT to think - how screwed up are we! The Somali kids that retaliated I'm sure were also fed up with the attitudes of the "white" people. I'm sure I can't imagine as a white person what it would be like to constantly live in a community that I felt I had to prove everyone WRONG about "my people". This is absolutely a race issue. Some of the words being expressed are WAY too close to "why don't you go back to Africa!" - but we think it doesn't look like color because it's only the ones from Somalia. I love how we invite people to come here, be safe, have refuge and then are irritated that they are here. I feel way off track so I will be mindful of my "mouth" and stop there. By: charliebrown on 11/19/09 I can only say, "Wow", it is so sad! By: jumpingbean on 11/19/09 I feel that there are numerous things that could have been done to prevent this. Now that it actually happened we should use the prevenative techniques to discourage further problems. As a former OHS student it is obvious that there is a large amount of segragetion between students of different races. For the most part, Hispanics hang out with Hispanics, Somalis hang out with Somalis, and the white students tend to hang out with prodominatly white students. The school should work on further integrating the students to spend more time with one another. This could be done by providing a mandatory descrimination/what is race class. It can be done by developing groups with multiple races in advisement to create friendships. There is a tendancy for students that have trouble speaking english to be put in special class type gatherings with students that speak their same language to help them improve their english. This however, is harming the students by further seperating the races. integration of races should happen early and often! School officials should not just sit back and hope that the groups stay far away from one another so confrontation is avoided! By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 "I love how we invite people to come here, be safe, have refuge and then are irritated that they are here." It seems to me that over time the vast majority of comments on this blog relating to your comment, jessysue, are with the expectation that those who come here do so legally and follow their oath, to wit: "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God." That's pretty much all we're asking. By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 "The school should work on further integrating the students to spend more time with one another." It is, of course, the parents' responsibility to teach their children about the value of all human beings but this is something not all of us as parents have learned, sad to say. "The school should work on further integrating the students to spend more time with one another." With all due respect, jumpingbean, attending OHS is, by its very nature, forced integration. I'm not sure how forcing tighter integration would help. By: BigBen7 on 11/19/09 lazy-- first, if anyone thinks you are truly somolian, i would be surprised. second, your idiocy certainly doesn't help the situation. why don't you use your abundance of free time to help the situation rather than posting what must be a failed attempt at being funny. By: dusty90 on 11/19/09 its captain jack sparrow/Abdi By: jjackson on 11/19/09 This is Jeffrey Jackson, the managing editor of the Owatonna People's Press. We have been asked by more than one person this morning to shut this forum down because they believe that the comments being made by some of the bloggers have been destructive rather than constructive. Our intention at this moment is to keep this forum open. That being said, we would ask that readers of this story and these comments would calm down and allow the police and the school administration to complete their work and share the results of their investigations with the community. For the sake of the Owatonna community, we encourage constructive comments about the issues at hand. By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 Mr. Jackson, you and I both know that shutting down this forum would be a very bad idea. Why? Well, you wrote in your other piece (http://www.owatonna.com/news.php?viewStory=111956) that, quote, "...the best way to resolve issues that divide people is by getting those issues out in the open so we can talk about them and, we hope, resolve them." Now admittedly, a forum may not be the best venue for getting stuff out "in the open so we can talk about them..." but it may be the only way some of us have to express our frustrations, desires, concerns, etc. So I think we both can agree, as you have previously stated, that having this remain open is a good thing. For my part, I will endeavor to keep things "constructive" as, I'm confident, would others. So while I appreciate the difficult position in which you find yourself, I think it best to keep this open and available. Hopefully you'll agree. Thank you! By: alittlebitofsugar on 11/19/09 Too late Jeffrey. I believe your intentions are good, but the damage is done. You cannot unring the bell. You remove the posts, and people cut and paste and put it back up. Your dilemma is keep it up and become consumed by making the choice of when to censor, or shut it down to keep the rabble rousers from using this forum to further inflame. Whether you like it or not, our children and their safety will potentially be impacted by your decision. I have ZERO confidence that these posters will follow your request in your closing line. By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 Uh oh...someone else's post got removed. For shame! By: charliebrown on 11/19/09 alittlebitofsugar-some will, don't paint everyone with the same broad brush By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 I'm thinking that you, Mr. Jackson, won't be getting any other work done today. Monitoring a blog can be a full-time job in and of itself! Good luck! By: ridiculous on 11/19/09 lazy - that is NOT what people were saying - simply stating some NOT ALL take advantage of it - and then you go and post something like that - come on By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 Ok, I am now relatively certain "lazy" is Somilian. SIGH. You sure don't help your cause at all with your posts. (Can you say "spiraling out of control"?) By: ss_observing on 11/19/09 Just to be clear, the "invitation" to come here didn't come from most of us. If I'm not mistaken it was ex-mayor Pete Connor and Viracon along with some churches. Maybe they could provide some insight on how get this mess under control. They invited it.... I mean, get real, you bring people from a worn torn country, who have literally known no other life, to a small, relatively quiet (translate - boring) town and you don't "think" there "might" be issues? Yeah, and sub-prime mortgages were a good idea, too. I'd like to say "how naive" but really it's how ignorant. You didn't need to see either concept in action to KNOW it wasn't a good idea. By: OwatonnaIndian on 11/19/09 Kids are a product of their surroundings (parents) so after reading this you can tell that a majority of these posts are from the same parents that are suffocating their kids with over protection. The other half is Republicans who look to get their foot in the door anywhere they can to vent their anger on a failing party. Why does religion and politics always have to be a Vail that people use to protect their true intentions? Has anyone here even read what the boy wrote? NO! put your torches away and look in the mirror of why this is happening in this town. My college professor told us all that people are not racist they are just uneducated. By: fluentinsarcasm on 11/19/09 Ahhh reverse discrimination. Those kids had a right to display hate speech! The administration is so weak, they should be using whatever it takes, even violence to get the class back in line. What has this world come to!? By: Newbie on 11/19/09 Lazy, are you just trying to stir the pot? STOP! By: Mindyourpeace on 11/19/09 Ah, the freedom of speech.... By: dusty90 on 11/19/09 This is the exact attitude i witnessed in high school. Say one slightly negetive comment toward their heritige and all hell breaks loose. This is not the american way lazy, we are not an aggressive country. You should be thankful for what you have By: lazy on 11/19/09 is not about what i think i didnt know about this every body in my comunity start talking about it talking bout the posts i dont approve fight but i just cant get it if u dont know what going on u sholdnt be talking is u hate somalins keep it to ur self dont posted cause are somalin kids could read By: FEIDO on 11/19/09 Looks like the Somalians are getting away with hate crime.Not only that but terroristic threats and felony assault.To bad the white people can't see the reallity of the situation and arrest the criminals to make a solid example of consequential punishment.This is the only way to nip this we are better than God Somalians in the bud.Owatonna needs to send a solid message,now.Fairandbalanced,I know about the basketball court and the poor white kids that got railroaded because the black kids hid behind racial discrimination and the white judge sucked it up.It is quite obvious from my point of view on the west coast that these kids and all thier people have gotten away with almost murder.Perhaps the black people should realize this is AMERICA,not the ruthless ground of their homeland.Law enforcement must stand up and show these people of Somalia we won't stand for hate crime against anyone,not even against the gracious white people who are under the eye of God are trying to help these poor,needy,helpless people.They might get away with lawlessness in Africa but I hope Owatonnas police can nip this now.The whole racial situation has been spiralling out of control for quite some time now and it is time to stop the spin.If the black people don't like it,then they should be deported home.Step up law enforcement lets see headlines of arrests.If the white kids did this they'd be in St.Cloud by now.Owatonna,lets hear your voices. kiatlynn55,Ya! lets just forget about this,it will all go away and be fine,right? Just ask the Jewish community,Iam sure you will hear a story of a man named Hitler.Can't wait 'til the blacks riot and burn Owatonna like out here in L.A.Maybe that's what the town needs,a good do over. lazy,by the way ur spellin,I beleev u went 2 owatna.I believe you shouldn't drink and post opinion either.Obviously the somalian kids will not read this,they are to busy praying and planning terroristic threats in the prayer room like all the others have done who have had prayer rooms elsewhere. By: Barber on 11/19/09 Wow, It sounds like this whole incident started over a child voicing his opinion of favoritism towards the Somalian race in the school? This child is obviously frustrated and should have the right to voice his opinion. There may have been a better way to go about voicing his opinion, like going to the school principle, unless he felt he wouldn't be heard going this route....sounds like the latter. The rules should be the same for everyone throughout the school and every where else no matter what your religious beliefs are. I think it is a privilage for anyone from another country to be here so they should be forced to follow our rules like everyone else. If they don't like it...go home. By: lazy on 11/19/09 newbie im not justthe shit that been post just got to me dusty90 is not about heritige is about relgion and racsist comments By: OwatonnaIndian on 11/19/09 I know whats comming next. This all started because of Video Games and Marilyn Manson. By: ss_observing on 11/19/09 For those posters who think us other posters are writing only in response to this incident - let me clarify - this, to me, is only the straw that broke the camel's back. I will reiterate my position that my posts reflect my observation of many years of escalating conflict within this community with regard to the Somali's. Which is why, in my previous posts, I indicated that we have reached a point where action is required, NOW, before it gets any worse. By: OwatonnaIndian on 11/19/09 Would this blog be as big as it is if, it were a white on white kid fight? By: auggerman22 on 11/19/09 I am not suprised that is finally happening, I am surprised that the Somalian community does not seem to want to do anything about it. By: lazy on 11/19/09 you well came Trutbetold i said that thats for the people who who said go back to ur country By: wally10kg21 on 11/19/09 Wow, post secondary is looking like a GREAT option for Owatonna students right now. By: ridiculous on 11/19/09 lazy - you said that to the people saying go back to your country?? So to the rest of us?? You say you are all pirates and are going to take over our country?? For what? and now you're just putting gas on the fire - you'd think you'd be justifying for yourself and trying to stick up for your culture, not make them look worse? By: lazy on 11/19/09 The somalin community are doing the best they can but when u brake the window of the only restrant we got and this is before this shit happen owatonna is the most racist city in MN real talk By: steele_this on 11/19/09 Does anyone have any children going to the OHS? If so, I heard a rumor that the OPD was there this morning, searching every student for guns. Is this true? By: truthbetold on 11/19/09 Feido, Your comments are out of line. You are lumping the entire Somalian people into one group. I do not agree with the special treatment and exceptions made for one religion over another. I understand the frustration of many who attend school or work for businesses that cater to these. I have encountered the rude, hateful people who cause misery for any who choose to befriend their white neighbors. BUT, I have met and love many people who are Somalian. These Somalians are kind, generous, giving, thankful, and hard working. I think this gang of kids should be prosecuted, as should ANY GANG of individuals. By: FEIDO on 11/19/09 According to LAZY the cats out of the bag,the Somalians want to take over Owatonna.Can't wait to see what a Somalian mayor and his black council have for plans.Sounds like a prayer room in the council chambers,mayors office,police station,fire hall . . . ....... By: ridiculous on 11/19/09 lazy - if this is the most racist town then move, it's not everyone... and about your window to your restaurant - did the entire town do that?? By: gopherfan22 on 11/19/09 the somalians are just a straight up problem, they think they are above the law, which is an absolute joke By: EAG on 11/19/09 ridiculous - No, but your sure quick to blame ALL of SOmalia for what happened the other day right? By: auggerman22 on 11/19/09 Lazy, I sorry, but if you don't like it here, why do you stay?? We have an interstate right next to the city that you could take North or South? By: lazy on 11/19/09 ridiculous controol ur people cause my people dont like u just the why u dont like as and tell ur kids to keep there opion to them self why u geting made saying we are all pirates and are going to take over our country is just an opion By: ridiculous on 11/19/09 no no - I am not blaming ALL somalians, I too have met some wonderful, respectful, law abiding somalians, just as I have met and encountered many horrible, law breaking disrespectful, white, asian, hispanic ect people... By: ridiculous on 11/19/09 lazy - you yourself said that... "where just trying to take over ur so called country like u did to them indian where pirats we take over shit be scared u my name is abdi and i approve this massage" By: steele_this on 11/19/09 I think the MAIN objective of everyone's concern is that a fight took place. Regardless of the races involved, a fight happened and people want action taken. By: ss_observing on 11/19/09 lazy - thank you. You just validated the majority of the comments presented. By: ridiculous on 11/19/09 lazy - and there we go back to violence By: OwatonnaIndian on 11/19/09 steel_this-"I think the MAIN objective of everyone's concern is that a fight took place. Regardless of the races involved, a fight happened and people want action taken." I will call BS on this!! Read the blog and you will see that race apparently is a big issue here. When it shouldn't be. I hope most of you have been to high school, and know that yes fights do happen just like people get injured playing sports. Unless you have a cure for world peace these things will not change. This blog just shows Owatonna's true colors, which this paper and who wrote this article are looking for. By: BigBen7 on 11/19/09 why are you even giving lazy the time of day? notice the screen name and the obvious poor spelling. he can't spell mad or hat but can get pirates, community, and other much more complicated words correct. seriously, if lazy isn't just some fat, out of work, white guy laughing at everyone who is responding to him, i'd be surprised. By: SoldieRatHeart on 11/19/09 and he's probably on here because none of the somalis are in school today from what i hear By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 "tell ur kids to keep there opion to them self" It's called "free speech," something to which you may not be accustomed. But that's one of THE greatest things about America. Bottom line is this: it aint' gonna happen so I suggest you get used to it. By: steele_this on 11/19/09 OwatonnaIndian- I am just saying it could be any races ganging up on any other races and I would still be upset. I have mixed raced children, and it breaks my heart that in 2009 we have to fear for our children's lives whether due to race or not. By: anothermom on 11/19/09 steele-this--I do have a son who goes to the OHS and yes they were doing bag searches and I heard they are doing them all week...last rumor going around is that some one found a hit lsit (dont know if true or not)so if i choose to keep my son home because i dont think he is safe is that counted against his attendence policy (i hope not) By: lazy on 11/19/09 Soldier u feel me son By: BigBen7 on 11/19/09 i think it would be best if rumors were kept out of this discussion. it doesn't help the situation when rumors get out into the larger community. it only makes the problem bigger and worse. By: NoteTaker on 11/19/09 ...more spiraling out of c-o-n-t-r-o-l.... By: truthbetold on 11/19/09 Steele_this, I have 3 kids in the High School. I called and was told that they did bag checks...just like yesterday. By: steele_this on 11/19/09 anothermom- Thanks for the info! I would like to know if that would be counted against the attendance policy as well. I don't think it should be. There's obviously a high alert here for potential harm. Good luck to you and your son. I hope OHS can get this all figured out and settled very soon. It's just too alarming. By: SoldieRatHeart on 11/19/09 another mom- i heard of that rumor too. and i have multiple friends still in high school not going today. and sorry but after graduating last year i know that it will count against his attendance. Dr. Don Johnson said that parents are installing fear in the children. pardon my language but no shit. its not just 17 and 18 year olds. 14 year old CHILDREN are being exposed to bomb and gun threats. Man up OHS. this didnt happenwith the class of '09 By: OwatonnaIndian on 11/19/09 Among the more obvious restrictions on the freedom to say just what one likes where one likes are laws regulating incitement, sedition, defamation, slander and libel, blasphemy, the expression of racial hatred, and conspiracy. By: ridiculous on 11/19/09 If you don't want special attention then don't ask for special treatment.... By: lazy on 11/19/09 notetaker wow everybody got an opion but people choose there words if u know its gonna offend people dont say it By: Cheadle on 11/19/09 I don't mind opinions as long as the fowl language is kept out of it!!! CLEAN IT UP!! By: ridiculous on 11/19/09 lazy - what are you trying to say, so by saying that you're a pirate or people in your culture are pirates, or by telling someone to suck your... is choosing words appropriately? just sayin... By: apehngrs on 11/19/09 Do I understand this right? A white student excercises his RIGHT to free speech and the school adminstration decides it's appropriate to suspend him, then when he returns to school, he is attacked & assaulted (in a premeditated action, as evidenced by the organized group, printed & circulated copies of the article, and having wrapped their knuckles in bandanas) by a group of black students??? And Disorderly Conduct/5th degree assault charges are what they're pursuing?? Not having been there, it certainly sounds to me like the article's author was the victim of an assault, NOT a participant in a fight. When did racial violence become an acceptable response for disagreement of an individual's FREE SPEECH?? "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it"- courtesy of one of our Founding Fathers, I believe. By: shellbell on 11/19/09 Lazy, I am sorry if you are offended. I am a white person who has family members who are or who are married to mexicans, puerto ricans, and African Americans. I try not to be racist. I have a son who is friends with many somalians at the high school. He won't tell me but I know he is scared. He says he cannot pick sides and I don't want him to. He is hurting as well as my other high schooler. They are so worried about fighting that they cannot concentrate on getting an education. That breaks my heart. You commented above that kids need to keep their opinions to themselves. I disagree. They need to be able to speak their mind. We are a country of free speech. If we hear something we don't like than we have the choice of how to handle it. Many people have said things to me that I don't like but I don't go beat them up. I express to them that I disagree. Regardless of race, the bottom line is violence is not the answer and neither is 20+ to 4. By: SoldieRatHeart on 11/19/09 Though public school students do possess First Amendment freedoms, the courts allow school officials to regulate certain types of student expression. For example, school officials may prohibit speech that substantially disrupts the school environment or that invades the rights of others. Many courts have held that school officials can restrict student speech that is lewd. By: Whereiscommonsense on 11/19/09 Thanks alot for informing residents who live nearby the Owatonna High School that there had been a bomb threat! I'm fortunate to have the internet and read about this "threat" even though it was after the threat had long been placed...NOT everyone has the internet likewise, NOT everyone purchases the local newspaper each and every day ESPECIALLY during these financially trying times with job losses being incurred so maybe...wouldn't it be on the prudent side of life to "somehow" inform residents who live nearby ANY structure that has a threat placed against it not to mention escalating tensions that could spill over and erupt into further chaos in one's property?? Nice job both OPP and OPD and even the School Board for once again only looking out to cover their own behinds and worry about damage control after the fact...less than impressed!! By: FrenchFRI on 11/19/09 Personally I think the majority of somalians are disgusting. Esp when they get their own hour during school to pray to their god, or whatever they believe in.. or how disturbing when you go to the bathroom in between classes and find one of them washing their balls or feet in the sink after they get out of gym class. Not to mention.. they smell up any area they flock to. Take a damn bath. If any other person did this.. they would get in trouble. We have let so many somalians come into our country, we're becomming the minority! By: ridiculous on 11/19/09 no skruttan they are not - they are called "terroristic threats!" By: EAG on 11/19/09 True colors comin' out today folks. Never hear this when white kids jump other white kids. Sad. By: truthbetold on 11/19/09 I think lewd speech should be restricted, but this kid was given an assingment. He completed the assignment and it was posted. The teacher did not say..."now wait a minute son, this language is not allowed. Choose different words to express how you feel before we post it." Honestly, I don't think the lewd language was what offended, but the opinion itself. By: BigBen7 on 11/19/09 again, students in high school have limited free speech rights. if his article was deemed inappropriate, the school has the right to suspend him for it. students do not have full blown free speech rights. check out the courts rulings in tinker vs. des monies (1969), bethel school district vs. fraser (1986), Hazelwood school district vs. kuhlmeier (1988), and frederick vs morse (2007). schools have the right to limit free speech if it is believed it will have a negative impact on the school. so, the school was within their rights to suspend the student for what he wrote. apehngrs, they are pursuing assault charges. isn't that what you want? possibly, based on the evidence they have, they know they would not be able to convict of anything greater than that. as i stated before, remember, we don't know what the police and the school are doing because they cannot give us all of the information. they are restricted by data privacy laws designed to protect students. let them do their jobs. By: SoldieRatHeart on 11/19/09 good point frenchfri.. or how about the appartment by the junior high? they have taken over McKinley elementary. quite frankly they are taking over.. the mentality of this years seniors is retaliation. they arent scared to do it. i promise, this issue will not be handled by the faculty By: lazy on 11/19/09 shellbell i know where u coming from im an adult i know every kid in the somali communtiy i want my kids to be save just like yours but this is not adults fighting this is kids fight they still kids so they can not handl the thing that the boy wrote they were rised different they making this a big deal i know the kids are not just gonna fight every white kid they see mostly the kids they fight with they know them dont be scared for ur kids there save By: Skruttan on 11/19/09 lazy I am not sorry you are offended. Honestly, I am totally not racist, I am an immigrant too. But you are saying so many things and swearing and carrying on, it is unbelievable and you are offending many people yourself. That's life, no excuse for violence. Somalians come here from a war country as refugees, shouldn't you want to live peaceful without violence? Shouldn't the Somalian community be interested in stepping up and initiate conversations to reach more understanding? By: Barber on 11/19/09 Lazy..This is where you come in as a parent. If your child can't handle a comment by another student then explain it to them....NO ONE NEED OR SHOULD GET SPECIAL TREATMENTS. Pray at home not at school, work, etc..... By: Skruttan on 11/19/09 lazy, they should not be fighting AT ALL!!!! You don't FIGHT to resolve issues . That is where they came from, you have an opinion you get murdered! It is different here. You have to accept others opinions no matter how stupid you think they are. You can write about it, demonstrate against it but NOT USE VIOLENCE as they do back in Somalia. By: FrenchFRI on 11/19/09 Yeah they should be interested in stepping up and initiate conversations but they dont. By: lazy on 11/19/09 skruttan i dont care if your a immmigrant or not but when my kids showed me this post all i seen was people saying go back to your country u animals bla bla bla so dont tell that i offended people cause at this point i dont care By: SoldieRatHeart on 11/19/09 Exactly they are refugees that we let into OUR country.. so please tell me why they walk around with the swagger that everything should be handed to them.. which it is. personally i would deport them or make them go to iraq so they know what freedom costs! (more than a plain ticket and groceries - which they dont pay for, knowing this from having a JOB at cash wise) By: depressed81 on 11/19/09 Violence doesn't solve anything just causes more problems DUH any normal human being would know that. But them kids apparently don't. And why? Because they just don't care and just like Lazy said there here to take over. Well guess what? Ain't gonna happen now. By: sunshinetown on 11/19/09 AMEN SOLDIERATHEART By: lazy on 11/19/09 Barber this is were Freedom of relgion came in place i have my kids drop out before they stop praying God before any thing By: SoldieRatHeart on 11/19/09 obviously you people have been outta high school for a while. violence is the only answer among men. this is escalated now that the somalis swarm when there is an altercation. fights always happen you just havent heard till now. even the somali girls are ridiculous they fight more than the boys. suspensions only give time for planning a fight. thats just how it is By: quinn on 11/19/09 Lots of hate being spewed by lots of posters. It's no wonder these kids can't get along, look at the examples being set for them. By: civiltongued on 11/19/09 SoldieRatHeart, what is the difference between listing pork and/or peanut butter because some students are seriously allergic? When I went to high school we had one option for lunch and on Fridays it was meatless in deference to all the Catholic students (of whom I was one) who at that time couldn't eat meat on Fridays. Nobody yelled about that and I went to public school with Jews (who also don't eat pork), Methodists, Lutherans, etc. My husband spoke only Czech when he started school and you can still hear all the old timers speaking Czech at ballgames on summer afternoons in Lonsdale and New Prague. This is in reference to the speak English in public comments. If we want rules for one nationality let's make them applicable for all. Perhaps we should outlaw Sons of Norway because they are dedicated to instilling the customs of their native land in their children today. My child graduted from OHS in the 90's and there have always been fights and altercations there. It's a very large group of adolescents with not very good impulse control sometimes housed in a building. Take a deep breath and let's see where this thing leads. By: Geneva_Queen on 11/21/09 I think it's time for Owatonna to attend the next school board meeting and demand answers. The next ISD761 School Board meeting is Monday, November 23, at 6:30PM in the District office. Lets be there, and be heard!!