Dear Editor

There was an era within the context of the black community in America when one could hardly distinguish lines of demarcation relative to the institutions of home, school and church.

Even the lines of socio-economics could not really divide us because all blacks were contained within the defined lines of apartheid which were drawn by the white ruling class.

Therefore, in Montgomery, Alabama where I grew up, Rosa Parks, a seamtress — the courageous black woman who refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus — was my neighbor.

Mrs. Parks lived in public housing; our homes located at the other end of the street were surrounded by well manicured lawns and flowers.

In contrast, public housing was embellished only with small strips of grass and stingy scrubs.

And we all lived pridefully together.

Nearby, was Alabama State College for Negores where congenial coexistence was, also, experienced.

There appears, now, to be a new day.

It seems that as black people rush away from their historical communities, the once symbiotic relationship that existed between “town and gown,” those institutions that sustained us through the horrific experience of Jim Crow and legal segregation, have given way to the “illusion of inclusion.”

It appears, that we have come to believe that we are unconditionally assimilated throughout the land.

The behavior of many blacks lead some of us to believe that those who leave our community are losing respect for those they leave behind.

It does not show proper respect for communities surrounding NCCU, when students and others litter our yards and streets with food containers and other trash.

If you question who the perpetrators are, take a look at the street parking on Fomosa Avenue, parallel with the Mary Townes Science Complex.

It’s a sad memorial to the genius of a distinguished black professor, whom I remember with utmost respect.

As a former employee of NCCU, who experienced the satisfaction of helping to restore students who came to the university traumatized, due to destructive rejection that they experienced in desegregated high schools during the early sixties.

I must say that we are disappointed with the current university population who litter our community.

Have you thought about how litter detracts from the appearance of the university?

We also wish to raise the consciousness of student of other racial, social groups around the fact that not only are we a proud people, but we are still a high achieving people, in spite of the new more complex and subtle Jim Crow that still suppresses our aspirations.

Dr. W.E.B. Dubois was right when, in the early 19th century, he asserted: “The color line will be the main problem of the 20th century in America.”

Since “everything is relative,” I call your attention to the political divide within the Democratic Party centered around race.

Senator Clinton’s campaign interjected the once latent ugliness of racism to sabotage the campaign of Senator Obama by taking out context a sermon delivered by Obama’s minister, Dr. Jeremiah Wright.

His sermon does not convey the message he is charged with.

The corporate media exploited the sermon to divide the Democratic Party and to enhance their ratings.

Please let us not see ourselves in negative racial terms, no matter they arise, and loose the consciousness of our valuable heritage.

So, students and others,we do not charge you with malicious intent, but we do ask you to be more sensitive to and respectful of our communities, where NCCU's founders and faculties once resided.

Let there be a healthy “Town and Gown” symbiosis.

Delores S. Eaton Member and former president of The Old Hillside Association