MLK Holiday: The day after

King Day was celebrated peacefully in most places yesterday, including in Cincinnati. Thankfully, no homicides were reported. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center allowed people to experience it for free. Various peaceful marches happened, and churches held commemorative services.

But there was one very embarrassing blemish. Students fought at a basketball event at Cintas Center. So far today, we've had our share of comments about how typical such behavior is. It's not typical behavior, but it is unfortunate. It's easy to discuss the irony as well; King's nonviolence stand, and these knuckleheads brawling in the stands. I was there last year, when stands were packed to see Bill Walker and O.J. Mayo. Nothing as major as six arrests occurred.

The greater tragedy is that when something like this happens publicly, on a day as special as MLK's birthday, it simply illuminates what's going on daily in some of these kids' lives. So it's not as simple as pointing out the irony on this "day of peace."

Well before the holiday and the basketball event, a sense of moral responsibility, right and wrong, good citizenship, etc., must be taught -- at home, in schools, in church -- no matter where you are, regardless of what circumstances you find yourself in.

Those who didn't participate -- the overwhelming majority -- must know this.

Meanwhile, from a practical standpoint, add more security in the building and at checkpoints outside.