A single TV episode encoded four competing positions on detaining Arab Americans

Evidence

“Inter Arma Silent Leges” presents four common positions on the issue of “voluntarily” detaining Arab and Muslim Americans. First, the government violates the Constitution—albeit grudgingly—to ensure U.S. national security; “voluntarism” is an excuse to enable the covert abuse of power. Second, and in contrast, an Arab/Muslim American is represented as complying with the government’s suspension of his civil liberties in order to prove his patriotism. Ms. Washington represents a third position; she protests the violation of civil rights and demands that the courts ensure that the Constitution stands even in times of crisis. Fourth, the judge rules that despite his commitment to upholding the Constitution, times of crisis merit different rules and Arab American civil rights cannot be guaranteed. — Evelyn Alsultany, Arabs and Muslims in the Media, 427