Someone below says the court cases for this happened in the early 20th century. That makes sense. In those days arab pretty much referred to Christians from Syria since that was where most of the arab immigration was coming from. That was when my family came over. It’s the later 20th century when things flip and most Arab immigration to the United States is Muslim rather than Christian. In the present day to most Americans arab=brown Muslim. So it might be that disconnect you’re noticing. Arabs were called “white” when the immigration patterns look different. I doubt the same court would have decided Arabs were white if the immigration patterns were as they are today.
Someone below says the court cases for this happened in the early 20th century. That makes sense. In those days arab pretty much referred to Christians from Syria since that was where most of the arab immigration was coming from. That was when my family came over. It’s the later 20th century when things flip and most Arab immigration to the United States is Muslim rather than Christian. In the present day to most Americans arab=brown Muslim. So it might be that disconnect you’re noticing. Arabs were called “white” when the immigration patterns look different. I doubt the same court would have decided Arabs were white if the immigration patterns were as they are today.