Racism is a rampant problem here at Penn State.

Yeah, that's right, I said it. You did not read it wrong. We all know it is, but no one is willing to admit it.

We are all racists, myself included. Let me rephrase that then: Racism is a rampant problem everywhere, not just Penn State.

While we aren't racists to the extent of Hitler or the Ku Klux Klan, we are racist in a very human way. We automatically have feelings, thoughts and ideas that come to mind when we meet someone, that are based solely on race.

For example, you're walking around campus and you run into an Asian fellow like me. Your first thought is that he's probably a good student, and he's probably headed to or from class. You probably would also assume he's pretty quick. You turn your head and BAM, he's gone. Ran straight to the library. (I am planning on naming my kids Pattee and Paterno.)

We all think of certain stereotypes, and recall past experiences with people of a specific race whenever we meet someone new.

This is an automatic process and it can't be helped. So what are you supposed to do about it? Admit it, acknowledge it and move on.

But don't worry, it's true; we do love the library but not as much as we love pandas.

Another case in point: How many of you can remember a time when you or a friend told a story, and casually mentioned the race or ethnicity as a defining characteristic of the person?

While you or your friend probably didn't intend to do this, the fact that you are distinguishing someone based on race is racism.

Of course the story needs this fact to make it interesting, but at the same time this is how we develop stereotypes and prejudices.

Penn State has diversity. We have amazing diversity. What is diversity? Is it ethnic student organizations, students sticking with other students their own race, awkward glances when we run into someone else of a different ethnicity? What does it help if we're segregated to clusters of racial and ethnic groups?

Now I can't blame those of you of the Caucasian influence of doing this, there are indeed over 35,000 of you. Or can I blame you? Admit it, when was the last time you made friends with a racial minority? Did you treat them the same way you would someone who usually hangs out with you?

If you find yourself in deep thought and deep guilt, relax. You're not any worst than Joe Penn State Student. But lets not lie to ourselves -- at one point or another you've probably treated someone differently solely because of the color of their skin.

And I have, too. That's what makes the issue of race so complicated. It is so much more than just black and white; there are many shades of gray.

At the same time, I can blame those of us who are of the "colored" persuasion. When was the last time you went out of your comfort zone to meet some white folks? I know it is hard to trust "whitie," but seriously a lot of white people are down. And they aren't cool because they are white, they are just cool because they're cool people.

As it stands, Penn State has a lot of diversity. We have so much diversity that we really don't need any more. What we need is more integration of races on campus and less animosity.

This world doesn't need racist people masquerading as equalists. Let's stop pretending and admit it -- we're all racists.

But now that this has been brought to your attention, what you choose to do about these inherent beliefs and attitudes is strictly up to you.