This is the first in a 3 part sequence exploring how the early American Baha’i community championed race unity – perhaps the best example of society building by Baha’is in the Western World.  This episode explores the historical context prior to Abdul-Baha’s arrival in America.  We explore how ‘scientific racism’ marred racial attitudes throughout America – and how churches that once championed the abolition of slavery now turned a blind eye – setting the stage for Abdul-Baha’is engagement with the race discourse in America upon His arrival in 1912.