“I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny, and I say segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever!”

Those were the impassioned words of Alabama Gov. George Wallace in his first inaugural address. A few months later, he stood in front of Foster Auditorium at the University of Alabama to protest federally-mandated desegregation by prohibiting the enrollment of two black students. The year was 1963.

It has been almost half a century since that shameful atrocity. In fact, many of us only know of this event because of a small picture in a back chapter of a high school American history textbook.

If you find Governor Wallace’s actions deplorable, then you have a healthy mind and heart. It only seems humane and decent for people of all races and ethnicities to live together in harmony. Yet, we must ask ourselves — has segregation really ended in our nation? Or is segregation still a part of our culture in the South? Is segregation still present at N.C. State?

Many of us try to convince ourselves that those days of hate and bigotry are long-gone relics from an older, less-civilized time. It makes us feel proud inside when we see pictures of Martin Luther King, Jr. in our schools and it makes us feel progressive when we hang up Black History Month bulletin boards around campus.

Yet, somewhere deep in our consciences we know that America, North Carolina and yes, N.C. State, are far from integrated. In fact, the strides we were once making towards racial harmony are beginning to decelerate.

Let’s take a look at our schools. According to Jonathan Kozol’s book The Shame of the Nation , public schools in metropolitan cities have an overwhelmingly minority population. In the school year 2000-2001, 87percent of the students in Chicago were black or Hispanic. Likewise, 94 percent of children in Washington, D.C., schools are black or Hispanic, mirroring the 82 percent in St. Louis, 78 percent in Philadelphia, 84 percent in Los Angeles, 95 percent in Detroit and 88 percent in Baltimore. You see, parents of majority students are putting their children in private schools or moving out of these districts. This is called segregation.

Now, take a look at our campus here at N.C. State.

For the past three years, it has been widely believed by students that even our housing and student centers are segregated — North Residence Hall, Avent Ferry Complex and Witherspoon Student Center have historically been buildings used primarily by black students. Yet, statistics released by University Housing show some change. North Residence Hall had 66 percent black students and 27 percent white students in Fall of 2005, compared to 26 percent black students and 57 percent white students this semester. The same trend, though not as dramatic, can be seen for Avent Ferry Complex.

On a national level, segregation is more noticeable. Black citizens vote for Democrats while the Republican Party is overwhelmingly white. According to the N.C. Board of Elections, only 4.2 percent of registered black voters are registered as Republicans.

White folks go to church on one side of the street and black folks go to church on the other side. For those of you from small rural towns, you know that black families often live on one side of the railroad tracks and white families live on the other. Our BBQ joints are even segregated along with our schools, our volunteer organizations and our clothing stores.

This segregation must end. Our generation should be a catalyst for this revolution.

Unlike many thinkers and writers on racial segregation, I blame everyone. That’s right. If you’re white, it’s your fault. If you’re black, it’s your fault too. In fact, if you’re reading this column, it’s probably your fault.

Now, I realize that there are many other races involved in race relations other than whites and blacks. However, I want to take the opportunity to enlighten you on how we can end the black-white (or white-black) divide:

Here’s what white people need to do:- Be sensitive toward your language when discussing racial issues.- Be more inclusive in your clubs, fraternities/sororities and friends.

Here’s what black people need to do:- Give white people a chance and trust them.- Teach white people without putting them on the defensive.

You know, Governor Wallace went on to win another term as governor and he later denounced his former views on segregation. He was shot while campaigning for president in 1972 but later went on to win the support of civil rights leaders.

Governor Wallace is no longer alive today but his infamous quote about segregation continues to play out in our society.

Why do we let it?