Slavery was legal. Japanese interment was legal in this country. Segregation was legal.

In this quote, Linda Sarsour draws attention to the fact that throughout history, some of the most injustices in the United States were legally sanctioned, even though they violated basic principles of human rights and equality. She mentions that slavery was once legal, Japanese internment during World War II was legal, and segregation was legal under the system of Jim Crow laws. Her point is that legality does not always equate to morality or justice, and that laws can be constructed to legitimize systems of oppression and discrimination.

Sarsour’s statement emphasizes that legal systems can sometimes uphold practices that are harmful and unjust. The fact that these practices were legal at different points in U.S. history doesn’t make them right or acceptable. By highlighting these historical examples, Sarsour challenges the belief that the law is always a fair and just system, urging people to critically assess laws that may perpetuate inequality or harm marginalized groups.

By referencing Japanese internment, slavery, and segregation, Sarsour is drawing a parallel between past and present injustices. She suggests that, just because a practice is legal today, like discriminatory policies or laws, doesn’t mean it is morally or ethically justified. The history of these legal injustices reminds us that laws should be evaluated not just based on their legality, but also based on their impact on human dignity and justice.

Ultimately, Sarsour’s quote calls for a deeper reflection on the nature of laws and justice in society. It serves as a reminder that laws must be scrutinized and sometimes challenged, especially when they fail to protect human rights and equality.