---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If it were in our national security to…"
description: "\"If it were in our national security to deploy to South Africa under apartheid, would we have found it acceptable or customary to segregate African Amer..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/martha-mcsally-15801_acceptable_if-it-were-in-our-national-security-to-d_2925244.png"
---

#  If it were in our national security to deploy to South…

![“If it were in our national security to deploy to South Africa under apartheid, would we have found it acceptable or customary to segregate African American soldiers from other American soldiers, and say, 'It's just a cultural thing'? I don't think so. I would hope not.” quote by Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/martha-mcsally-15801_acceptable_if-it-were-in-our-national-security-to-d_2925244.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/martha-mcsally-15801_acceptable_if-it-were-in-our-national-security-to-d_2925244.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/415/martha-mcsally-15801_acceptable_if-it-were-in-our-national-security-to-d_2925244.png)

> “If it were in our national security to deploy to South Africa under apartheid, would we have found it acceptable or customary to segregate African American soldiers from other American soldiers, and say, 'It's just a cultural thing'? I don't think so. I would hope not.”

[Martha McSally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-mcsally/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Deploying troops under apartheid would be unacceptable; segregation of soldiers is unjust, even if labeled cultural.

**In simple terms:** Segregation is unjust regardless of context.

Key Takeaway

Reject cultural excuses for discrimination.

Themes

ethics military civil rights

Mood

serious concerned

Type

political ethical

When to use this quote

- defense
- human rights

Key Concepts

apartheid segregation policy

Questions to Reflect On

- How do we balance security and equality?
- What policies prevent cultural justification of bias?

A Different Perspective

Complex geopolitical factors exist.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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