It is easy to view the accusations of anti-gay harassment during the New Ulm/St. Peter basketball games this winter as an isolated incident. When a New Ulm player or players harassed and physically harmed a St. Peter player who is gay, it was an ugly thing, and those responsible should be held accountable.

But doesthe problem begin and end there? Is this incident a symptom of a deeper problem?

If this kind of incident happened in as public a place as a high school basketball game, does it happen elsewhere in the school, or in town? Are other LGBTQ students subjected to harassment too? Do they get called names, or get bullied and pushed around?

Certainly, there are many fine, respectful people in the schools, who are tolerant and accepting of others. Certainly, the incidents reported this weekend are not reflective of their attitudes, and they feel unfairly tarnished by the attention this is getting.

But are there some who see those who are different as targets and potential victims?

Judging from some letters and comments we have received, there are. And a student being harassed in their own school is just as bad as an athlete from another school getting harassed.

As the New Ulm School District holds meetings and assemblies to let students know that we should not do things like that to opposing players at athletic events, they should be hearing that we don’t do that to each other. We should be treating people –all people — with respect. For those who have been victims, we should be hearing their complaints and doing something for them, whether it gets reported in the media or not.