Why is it in our "great" country (with the best standard of living of any country in the world) that we feel the need to have this bizzare, primal anger?

Noticing the riots that have plagued some cities during Mardi Gras and the recent riots at Penn State has caused me to ask why we feel the need to lash out.

Is it oppression? Is it lies that we feel the media and government must be telling us? It's ironic to have such good, peaceful lives and then flip off the driver who cuts us off at an intersection moments later.

Second, why do some individuals still find the immature need to use racial slurs or other inappropriate comments to degrade each other?

Have we not learned to coexist, even with the potential family members who may be different than ourselves?

Every race at PSU is here to stay — like it or not.

Finally, why do we distance ourselves from those around us?

Why do we go to class and never speak to the person next to us? Are we afraid of them?

What harm could befall a person through simple, pleasant conversation?

Some days in class there is an alienating silence that hurts more than anything else in the world.

I openly invite a friendly challenge for all to try to answer these questions. If we choose to blow these questions off or use politics to tap dance around the issue, our society will not evolve.

Look deep within yourselves at that voice you hear when you ask yourself questions. Notice how it always steers you in the right direction.