UNIVERSITY PARK, PA-- While racial tensions have always been present at the predominantly white Penn State University, reports of racist incidents have skyrocketed in recent months. The increased reports of racial discrimination and harassment have led some student groups to take action.

              The actions that student activist groups have initiated includes a list of over 250 racist issues that has been compiled and sent to various politicians and leaders at Penn State. The students hope the list will help to raise awareness of the harrowing effects of racism on the Penn State community.

              David Goldman (junior – anthropology) recounted a specific incident that occurred downtown. “I went down to McDonald’s on Tuesday morning before classes because I had this craving for a sausage muffin. I got there at 11:13, attempted to place my order, and the cashier, who was wearing a cross around her neck, responded by saying ‘I’m sorry sir, but we stop serving breakfast at 10:30, would you like something else?’ I mean, can you believe the nerve this girl had? Just because I’m Jewish I can’t even get breakfast now? That really pisses me off!”

              Goldman was not the only minority recently targeted by racism. Muhammad Anbari (sophomore – electrical engineering) experienced an equally disturbing incident on Thursday. “I was walking out of my class at Eisenhower auditorium when this white kid steps on the back of my shoe. He was like ‘sorry man’ but I knew he wasn’t, so I responded, ‘Are you sorry because you stepped on my shoe or because I’m Indian?’ He just said ‘what the fuck are you talking about?’ I think he was trying to imply that he couldn’t understand me because I talk funny. I really wish people would be more open-minded.”

              Another incident occurred at the Forum on Friday. Moniqua Jabal (junior – English) recalled, “I was at my Psych 002 lecture at the Forum and this white girl next to me drops her pencil. I tried to ignore it, but then she had the audacity to say “Could you hand me my pencil please?” I was like “Fuck no, cracker bitch!” I mean, doesn’t she know that slavery was abolished? I’m sick of the racist bullshit that goes on at this campus.”

              Even the Caucasian students who are clearly part of the majority have reported being targeted by racism. “I was walking into Willard building and this black guy right in front of me opens the door and then lets it slam in my face,” said William Calhoun (freshman – DUS). “I bet if I was a brother he would’ve held the door for me.”

              Shanna Mitchell, speaking for the local ACLU, commented on the recently escalating racial problems. “The important thing is that people are made aware that racism can and does happen on a daily basis, even in a place with such an unassuming nickname as Happy Valley. I mean, lets not forget that Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, isn’t exactly void of discrimination. The important thing is that no instance of racism, no matter how seemingly small, go unreported. Anything from someone taking your seat in a lecture to someone accidentally bumping into you on the street could be racially motivated. Never hesitate to interpret even the smallest inconvenience as racial harassment. Some people will be the target of a racial crime and not even realize it. Its that sort of ignorance that allows racism to continue, and we won’t have it any longer.”