Law Quote by Wendy Brown
![“This effort [to establish racism, sexism and homophobia as morally heinous in law] also casts the law in particular and the state more generally as neutral arbiters of injury rather than as themselves invested with the power to injure. Thus, the effort to "outlaw" social injury powerfully…” quote by Wendy Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0ea/wendy-brown-109652_law_this-effort-to-establish-racism-sexism-a_2313777.jpg)
““This effort [to establish racism, sexism and homophobia as morally heinous in law] also casts the law in particular and the state more generally as neutral arbiters of injury rather than as themselves invested with the power to injure. Thus, the effort to "outlaw" social injury powerfully legitimizes law and the state as appropriate protectors against injury and casts injured individuals as needing such protection by such protectors.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Sovereign Power: The State and Politicization of Law, Wendy Brown, 2005
The argument claims that framing racism, sexism, and homophobia as legal wrongs positions law and the state as neutral protectors, legitimizing their authority while portraying victims as needing protection.
In simple terms: Law frames social harms as neutral injuries, making the state seem like a fair guardian.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how legal narratives can grant power to institutions.
Themes
law
politics
social justice
state power
protective narratives
Mood
critical
analytical
concerned
Type
Law:1
Philosophy:1
Politics:1
Racism:1
Resistance:1
Social Injury:1
Injure Effort:0
Homophobia Morally:0
Casts Law:1
Legitimizes Law:1
When to use this quote
- human rights advocacy
- policy reform
- legal education
- community organizing
Key Concepts
legal theory
critical theory
power dynamics
social injury
state legitimacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does labeling social harm as a legal injury affect public perception of the state?
- Can law truly be neutral when it defines harm?
A Different Perspective
The state may still be biased despite claims of neutrality, and victims may be disempowered by overprotective framing.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
![“[Islam] Leaves no room of human legislation in an Islamic state, because herein all legislative functions vest in God and the only function left for Muslims lies in their observance of the God-made law.” quote by Abul A'la Maududi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/704/abul-a-la-maududi-51903_function_islam-leaves-no-room-of-human-legislatio_886.jpg)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
