The U.S. attorney general said on Saturday that while "outbursts of bigotry" were a reminder that there still isn't equality, the bigger threat is from "subtle" and systemic racism.
Eric Holder gave the commencement address at Morgan State University and commented on recent racist remarks that the news has covered, never mentioning by name either of the two most recent examples, reports USA Today.
Clearly referring to rancher Cliven Bundy and NBA owner Donald Sterling, Holder said, "These outbursts of bigotry, while deplorable, are not the true markers of the struggle that still must be waged, or the work that still needs to be done - because the greatest threats do not announce themselves in screaming headlines."
Specifically pointing out inequality in schools and the criminal justice system, Holder noted that some forms of racism were less discussed. "They are more subtle. They cut deeper. And their terrible impact endures long after the headlines have faded and obvious, ignorant expressions of hatred have been marginalized."
Holder spoke the on the 60th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision. The Supreme Court ruling struck down "separate but equal" laws as unconstitutional.
To honor the day, the National Park Service said they would be live-tweeting a re-enactment of the decision under new Twitter handles of the justices, such as @SC_CJ_EWarren54 and the hashtag #Brown1954 would be used.