During the first weekend of November, I enjoyed the amazing opportunity to attend the National Asian Pacific Bar Association conference and visit our nation’s capital. After the final event and visiting the National Museum of African American History, I find myself pondering racism and politics, and reminded of the importance of context.

Context in general is often extremely important. For example, if someone declares intent to strip naked in public, you might be appalled and ready to call authorities. You might be slightly less appalled (and I do recognize the slightness) if you knew they were at, say, a nude beach or if their clothes were on fire.

Context in terms of historical positioning is also important. Considering where I was, my thoughts naturally considered the historical context behind racism in America. When racial issues arise, I have heard, of course, many moans and groans about alleged anti-white racism, people complaining too much, and how slavery has been over for ages.

But we have to understand the history- history that, considering the small amount of time humans have existed, was not so long ago. Sure, theoretically, slavery ended in the 1860’s. But what followed after for African Americans was not some grand dream realized under newfound freedom.

State legislatures passed laws which restricted or even effectively eliminated rights many had fought for. Racism plagued many job searches- some were even forced to return to work for former slave owners. Wage discrimination was common. The KKK and its supporters arose out of the dark depths of the American populace.

There was resistance, of course. Some of the biggest steps, however, only took place some 50 years ago, such as desegregation and the less-openly restricted voting rights. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death was also about 50 years ago, after which many movements such as the Black Panthers, Black Power, and Black is Beautiful arose.

It is not all that surprising, then, that movements against racism continue today. No doubt the essence of old policies continue, and we know white supremacists are marching again.

Of course, this only covers one particular form of racism in America. Italian, Irish, Chinese, Japanese, Latin American, and many other groups have historically felt the sting of hatred as well. This continues even today, with a large number of Americans, including members of the federal government, embracing blanket anti-Muslim sentiment and anti-Mexican immigrant sentiments. (I’m sure someone is screaming, “No we just don’t want “illegal immigrants,” but I rebuke this, because almost all of the recent rhetoric has been directed toward Mexican immigrants). Last but not least, we cannot forget what we have inflicted upon the original inhabitants of these lands.

It is essential we understand all this context. Armed with this understanding, one can take a step back, then look differently and more closely. Victories against racism have come over time, and it is certainly nowhere near defeated. That certain victories have been taken does not mean that these issues have vanished. No persisting social problem suddenly and magically vacates the premises of the collective human consciousness. It continues, morphing and finding new niches.

Knowing this, we must recognize racism when it is on our face and examine policies and social and economic conditions closely to determine whether, perhaps, its evils have simply gone underground- whether they are embedded and nearly invisible to the glance of the naked eye. We must also consider how we address them. We must be sure that our intent and actions do not merely highlight victims and woes, but rather uplift those whose opportunities have been lessened by the seeping and gravely dynamic darkness of human consciousness.