Why are white people expats when the rest of us are immigrants?

[george]

Why are white people expats when the rest of us are immigrants?


In the lexicon of human migration there are still hierarchical words, created with the purpose of putting white people above everyone else. One of those remnants is the word “expat”.

Surely any person going to work outside their country is an expatriate?

But no, the word exclusively applies to white people

What is an expat? And who is an expat? According to Wikipedia, “an expatriate (often shortened to expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of the person’s upbringing. The word comes from the Latin terms ex (‘out of’) and patria (‘country, fatherland’)”.

Defined that way, you should expect that any person going to work outside of his or her country for a period of time would be an expat, regardless of his skin colour or country. But that is not the case in reality; expat is a term reserved exclusively for western white people going to work abroad.

Africans are immigrants. Arabs are immigrants. Asians are immigrants. However, Europeans are expats because they can’t be at the same level as other ethnicities. They are superior. Immigrants is a term set aside for ‘inferior races’.

Don’t take my word for it. The Wall Street Journal, the leading financial information magazine in the world, has a blog dedicated to the life of expats and recently they featured a story ‘Who is an expat, anyway?’. Here are the main conclusions: “Some arrivals are described as expats; others as immigrants; and some simply as migrants. It depends on social class, country of origin and economic status. It’s strange to hear some people in Hong Kong described as expats, but not others.

Anyone with roots in a western country is considered an expat … Filipino domestic helpers are just guests, even if they’ve been here for decades. Mandarin-speaking mainland Chinese are rarely regarded as expats … It’s a double standard woven into official policy.”

Is there any space in the development debate for African experts?

The reality is the same in Africa and Europe. Top African professionals going to work in Europe are not considered expats. They are immigrants. Period. “I work for multinational organisations both in the private and public sectors. And being black or coloured doesn’t gain me the term “expat”. I’m a highly qualified immigrant, as they call me, to be politically correct,” says an African migrant worker.

Most white people deny that they enjoy the privileges of a racist system. And why not? But our responsibility is to point out and to deny them these privileges, directly related to an outdated supremacist ideology. If you see those “expats” in Africa, call them immigrants like everyone else. If that hurts their white superiority, they can jump in the air and stay there. The political deconstruction of this outdated worldview must continue.

-- SiliconAfrica.com

Mawuna Remarque Koutonin is the editor of SiliconAfrica.com, where this blog was first published. Follow @siliconafrica on Twitter.

[uptheos]

I thought the white people here were just visitors (guests).

Hardly enough to be an immigrant.

Edited March 15, 2015 by uptheos

[Costas2008]

Why do we always want to label people?

What is the difference if I'm an expat, an immigrant, a migrant or whatever else?

I'm still Costas that chosen to live in another country than mine.

Labeling me doesn't change anything in my life or the way I've chosen to live.

[than]

Because western people have nostalgy of colonialism and slavery

[JockPieandBeans]

What is an expat? And who is an expat? According to Wikipedia, “an expatriate (often shortened to expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of the person’s upbringing. The word comes from the Latin terms ex (‘out of’) and patria (‘country, fatherland’)”.

To use Wiki's explanation. They are Expats when they leave their home Countries. They then become Immigrants, Economic Migrants, Guests to whatever Country they move to.

Africans are immigrants. Arabs are immigrants. Asians are immigrants. However, Europeans are expats because they can’t be at the same level as other ethnicities. They are superior. Immigrants is a term set aside for ‘inferior races’

They are immigrants to the Countries that they move to. If their Home Countries refer to the as Immigrants, for leaving their Home Country then that is a problem of their respective Home Countries.

The answer seems pretty simple. If you do not like being referred to as an Immigrant, then try staying in your Home Country.

[daoyai]

i would accept being an immigrant but my visa says i am a non-immigrant.

[96tehtarp]

Because western people have nostalgy of colonialism and slavery

/HEAVY_BRITISH_ACCENT_ON

"Oh, the colonies you know, such a pity"

/HEAVY_BRITISH_ACCENT_OFF

[rasmus5150]

In Thailand everybody is "FARANG". Except for Indians and middle eastern people are called "Kaeg", and Africans are called "Afrigan".

[Blackfish64]

I'm all for wiping out all borders everywhere, all over the world, and people can go where they like, live where they like, without being hassled, without being persecuted, and everyone is just another person. I'm no expat or immigrant--I'm just here. Get over it.

[96tehtarp]

In Thailand everybody is "FARANG". Except for Indians and middle eastern people are called "Kaeg", and Africans are called "Afrigan".

I think you'll find that the term Farang is confined to people of the white race.

[captbob]

Africans are immigrants. Arabs are immigrants. Asians are immigrants. However, Europeans are expats because they can’t be at the same level as other ethnicities. They are superior. Immigrants is a term set aside for ‘inferior races’.Message for Nigerian and Liberian scaming in Bangkok only

Edited March 15, 2015 by metisdead
Font.

[recycled]

Being white, then it is ones birth right, if you happen to be yellow, it's just too bad fellow and to be black, accept it as a matter of fact. The mighty man dictates your dealt hand so when you again stand in line, don't whine - just remember better luck next time.

[Pattaya28]

Defining this statement is that immigrants are "workers" whereas "expats" are not.

You see "expats" in go-go bars, you don't see "immigrants".

A very clear divide.

[Rhys]

Because it is simply WM Disease...

[BeforeTigers]

"Anyone with roots in a western country is considered an expat"
Doesn't say much for that "white people only" clickbait.

And who is this mysterious "they" that are responsible for setting this alleged cultural standard?
Because, for an "expat", I sure do spend a lot of time at Immigration.

Irresponsible, weakly written, race-bating bull shit

Edited March 15, 2015 by BeforeTigers

[bangkapi]

Expat is temporary. Or a term forced on people by local laws.

I would love to be an immigrant, but there are way too many hoops to jump through to get that status here.

Expat also means that you took the time and expense to get all the papers in order.

Edited March 15, 2015 by bangkapi

[Stjohnm]

Defining this statement is that immigrants are "workers" whereas "expats" are not.

You see "expats" in go-go bars, you don't see "immigrants".

A very clear divide.

Unless it's the Laotian lady dancing on the table

[DavisH]

I thought the white people here were just visitors (guests).

Hardly enough to be an immigrant.

I think we are considered more like interlopers

[EmptyHead]

I am a Non-Immigrant sometimes called and alien.

This article is racist.

[snottgoblin]

This is the first I've heard of it being said this way. Seems like the writer has a chip on his shoulder, we have several expat staff thar are non-White never heard anyone address them as anything other than as an ex pat. What a crap article.

[richard10365]

If you leave your country you're an emigrant from the country you leave. When you arrive in another country you're an immigrant to that country. In both cases you're considered a migrant.

[55Jay]

No sense in denying it, the OP's author is right.

However if he took the next step in defining "Immigrant", and understood the very obvious pattern of human migration in our recent history, he could answer his own question.

But, being a black race activist blogger, that wouldn't fill much space on the page, so he's rambled on then got down to brass tacks in the final paragraph, engaged in some racial axe grinding - Europeans and English in particular...surprised ThaiVisa let this one slip though.

Dear Mawuna someplace on Africa, please feel free to remove the shackles us white devils have placed upon you, and refer to yourself as an Expat. You obviously don't need the white man's permission in this day and age, so I'm not sure what you are waiting for. Go on, say it. EXPAT, EXPAT, EXPAT! God, that felt great, didn't it?

[Bernard Flint]

In Thailand everybody is "FARANG". Except for Indians and middle eastern people are called "Kaeg", and Africans are called "Afrigan".

AFRICANS are farang dam to thais

farang is white fruit,so obviously white people on holiday or live here, EXPATS are anybody, so no race card please, as nobody i know would think an expat to be white only, ludicrous.

[bannork]

Farangs are only expats to themselves. To Immigration we are all the same -aliens on the form.

[Lissos]

Africans are immigrants. Arabs are immigrants. Asians are immigrants.

However, Europeans are expats because they can’t be at the same level as other ethnicities. They are superior. Immigrants is a term set aside for ‘inferior races’.

Ask yourself how do people in other parts of the world define 'themselves' at home or abroad, or any foreigners in their midst.

I think that if the article writer looked, they would find locals regard their culture as superior and define foreigners in their midst as lower.

Do Chinese in other nations refer to themselves with a term akin to 'expat'? I don't know, maybe someone here can clarify that.

It seems to me to be yet another trying to paint concepts of cultural superiority as something only Caucasians harboured in the past or present.

[Blackfish64]

I thought the white people here were just visitors (guests).

Hardly enough to be an immigrant.

I think we are considered more like interlopers

Precisely. They love our money--but they don't love us.

My sister in-law despises me with a passion. For ten years wife and I pumped American dollars over to she and her husband to help build this business. After more than a decade, wife and I could finally come live here and get our dream.

When we arrived and Sister noticed the monthly deposit wasn't in the account, she came and asked what was the matter. We were blown away by her inquiry. Of course, we live here now, we explained, quit our jobs in America, and run the business and now the business will need start paying us.

Sister absolutely flipped out and refused to speak to us for days. What could she possibly have been thinking was beyond me.

Near as I can tell, she thought since she was the eldest, she was clearly in control of the family and made all decisions. Our money was hers and that's final. Of course, I laughed in her face at this ridiculously stupid idea. She flashed a stare at me and in less than a second I went from the sweetest man in the world to "farang."

That was well over a year ago. She still refers to me as "farang," but only behind my back. She hasn't spoken a word to me since that meeting.

I am the interloper, here to destroy the family, according to Sister's mind, and I need be done away with. I taught Wife that she has her own brain and spine and that we will be just fine without being Sister's slave. Wife was afraid to stand up to her at first, and I had no idea how crazy Sister really was until I got here. Yikes. She's done all she can think of to be rid of me, but I just smile and keep on my merry way.

The Interloper. Perfect.

[Stan42]

Who do you think came up with the term expats? Why expats of course! We all strive for self-importance.

[jollyhangmon]

Who do you think came up with the term expats? Why expats of course! We all strive for self-importance.

I beg to differ! Not me, Sire. As long as they call me 'Massa Bwana' everything's just peachy ...

[khunPer]

In Thailand we Caucasian Westerners refers to ourselves as “expats” – often mentioned in ThaiVisa forum posts – but in real life here in LoS we’re just either a potato or all French, ”farangs”, and more officially referred to like something weird coming from outer space, called “alien”. That’s also kind of racism, or is it...?

[tingtongfarang]

In Thailand everybody is "FARANG". Except for Indians and middle eastern people are called "Kaeg", and Africans are called "Afrigan".

AFRICANS are farang dam to thais

farang is white fruit,so obviously white people on holiday or live here, EXPATS are anybody, so no race card please, as nobody i know would think an expat to be white only, ludicrous.

when thais refer to me as a farang i tell them i,m a saparot.