After the riots in Baltimore and elsewhere, many well-intentioned people are asking what went wrong and what needs to be done to create a better society.
We should consider creating a Peace Corps-like organization that obliges all young people to work together with their peers from all classes for a year on projects like repairing our infrastructure or building homes. By living and working together young people would get to know and appreciate each other no matter what class they come from.
Too many young people are without constructive jobs. Too many young people don't have proper opportunities to grow and become productive members of society. And too many people are concerned only about themselves. Their ideals are self-centered.
The problems we face require bold ideas and approaches. We need not only to re-educate ourselves about fundamental ideas and principles — such as being our brothers' keeper and "e pluribus Unum" — but recognize that we must all work together for the common good.
Armin Mruck, Towson
The writer is professor of history emeritus at Towson University.