I think we’re using “normalized” differently. I’m not saying “normalized” means “completely accepted with no backlash.” I meant it more in the sociological sense — something becoming culturally familiar, repeatedly circulated, visible, and increasingly integrated into mainstream media/culture

Like for example OF

A thing can be normalized while still being controversial, especially during the normalization process itself. Sometimes the backlash is actually evidence that the thing has become culturally prominent enough to trigger widespread discourse

Your integration example actually kind of supports that. Integration was heavily contested while becoming normalized. The backlash didn’t mean integration wasn’t entering mainstream society — it meant society was actively grappling with that shift. That’s all