OWATONNA, Minn. (WCCO) —Calm has returned to the halls of Owatonna High School, where earlier this week a fight over racial tensions sent one student to the hospital.

Tension between white and Somali students had been brewing for the past two weeks, stemming from a student’s inflammatory paper alleging Somali privilege that was posted on a school blog.

The white student was briefly suspended, but on Monday, he was attacked when a fight erupted between about 20 Somali and white students.

Classes began Thursday with discussions on racial harmony.

“We asked them to gather in their advisory groups and to just talk about what’s happening in school,” said Owatonna Superintendent Tom Tapper, “and just exactly what do you think we can do to fix it.”

Seven students involved in Monday’s fight are currently suspended. The school has also stepped up security. On Thursday, students’ bags were checked and there were more police officers on hand.

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