When They Say ‘Law and Order,’ They Mean ‘White and Order’

“Law and order” has always meant protecting some people—and policing everyone else.

When They Say ‘Law and Order,’ They Mean ‘White and Order’

For decades, “law and order” has been the rallying cry of conservative politics. It sounds neutral, patriotic, even noble. But behind the slogan lies a brutal truth: it’s less about justice and more about control—especially when it comes to communities of color.

And now, the right-wing obsession with “law and order” has merged seamlessly with their war on immigration. The result? A system that doesn’t just target undocumented people—it criminalizes entire identities.

Policing Has Always Been Racial

Let’s get honest about history. Policing in the U.S. was born from:

• Slave patrols in the South
• Strikebreakers in the North
• Anti-immigrant enforcement in urban centers

From the beginning, law enforcement served to protect whiteness, property, and power. Not justice. Not fairness. And certainly not equity.