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

    Surely any person going to work outside their country is an expatriate? But no, the word exclusively applies to white people
    Tanned elderly retired British couple living in Costa Blanca
    Expats or migrants? Photograph: Alamy
    Mawuna Remarque Koutonin
    Mawuna Remarque Koutonin is editor of SiliconAfrica.com and a social activist for Africa Renaissance. @siliconafrica
    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”.
    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.”
    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.
    Mawuna Remarque Koutonin is the editor of SiliconAfrica.com, where this blog was first published. Follow @siliconafrica on Twitter.
    Join our community of development professionals and humanitarians. Follow @GuardianGDP on Twitter.

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    • Guardian Pick
      I think it's probably to do with economic dynamics, immigration is usually perceived as poverty driven. For example, relatively poor Bulgarians moving into France or the UK to work for better wages are considered to be 'immigrants' (although they are white). And a rich Qatari oil Tycoon living in a ridiculously luxurious flat in London is not considered an 'immigrant' (although he is not white).
      Poor people are 'immigrants'. Rich people are 'expa…
      Jump to comment
    • Guardian Pick
      I have often wondered this. It seems to be something so engrained that we don't even think about it. I'd be interested to know the terms used in non English speaking countries - is there an equivalent term to ex-pat?
      Jump to comment
    • Guardian Pick
      This is a manufactured issue. In Singapore black British people are also described as 'expats'.
      The different between an expat and an immigrant is that the former stays by choice rather than necessity. The assumption with immigrants is that don't have the same choice. That reflects class more than ethnicity.
      Jump to comment
    • Guardian Pick
      A really thought-provoking article: language is very powerful and from now on I will try to use the term 'immigrant' regardless of race.
      Jump to comment
    • Guardian Pick
      Oh my God, I have been wondering about the same for more. I am an African immigrant in Asia but my fellow worker who are Europeans are expats.��
      Jump to comment
    • Guardian Pick
      An interesting article on a topic that is rarely discussed. In Hong Kong; where I originally came from, I'd think that the term "expat" is often refer to people who are from overseas but work in HK on a working visa. There is also a general impression that "expats" in HK are professionals with high income. But I'd think that all "non-Chinese" people except foreign domestic helpers could be considered "expats"; not necessarily "white people". Do e…
      Jump to comment
    • Guardian Pick
      I'm a New Zealander living permanently in the UK.
      Not one person has ever called me an immigrant nor accused me of coming here to steal jobs/benefits.
      There is a clear racial bas at play.
      Jump to comment
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    • 0 1
      This is something I've wondered about before, and my working assumption has been that there is some kind of racial bias. I decided to look at it in an English language corpus (http://corpus.byu.edu/coca/) to see what sort of words immediately precede the words "expat" and "immigrant".
      It's true that when comparing the terms by frequency, "British" and "American" overwhelmingly precede "expat", while "illegal", "new", "Mexican", "Asian", "Korean", "Irish", "Russian", "German", "recent" and "Chinese" make up the top 10 adjectives preceding "immigrant". So some white-majority countries show up there too.
      But when I changed the term from "expat" to "expatriates", I got different results. Suddenly, words like "Iraqi", "Arab", "Cuban" and "Chinese" show up. No idea why. I think this is actually really interesting. I'd have to do a lot more research in order to draw any conclusions, but I suspect class and the destination country also play a big role.
      For example, it's true that you'd be more likely to hear about Polish "immigrants" than Polish "expats", despite being overwhelmingly Caucasian, and I think the reason has something to do with the assumptions for why someone leaves their country of origin—is it by choice, or did economic pressures drive them away? I also noticed that generally an "expat" is used to describe someone who has language, or race (in a very broad sense) or something else in common with the majority of their destination country. For example, I saw specific examples of Cuban expats in Spain, and Chinese expats in Taiwan. But again, I'd need to do more research to see if there's something to this or if I am just looking for patterns.
      Anyway, really interesting article!
      Reply |
    • 0 1
      Of course I know the term expat, but in mainstream English speaking Canada (BC to Ontario) it is never used. I've never heard it used here. Same with alien.
      Italian, French, English, Irish, Scots, Nigerian, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, to Canadians we're all immigrants if we've got landed immigrant status or if we're naturalized Canadians.
      People on work permits and education visas, and refugees, from wherever -- Canadians call them foreigners no matter where they are from.
      And migrant workers who spend decades traveling country to country -- Canadian call them foreigners too.
      Canadians also reserve the word "alien" to mean "from another planet". People from elsewhere on earth are immigrants, foreigners or refugees.
      Canadians do sometimes call "illegal immigrants" "illegal aliens" but usually that is when discussing the USA's terrible problems. Our own illegal immigrants are normally called "illegal immigrants", "illegal migrants" or "fake refugee claimants".
      (I'm not judging fakeness here, I'm just describing the common usage here.)
      Reply |
      • 0 1
        Reading the comments below, it seems the UK term "expats" does not refer to ex-patriots or expatriated people at all.
        Rather "expats" refers to people whose patriotism is still to the country they are from, people in a foreign country temporarily.
        So the UK catch all for Canada's "foreigners" and the Germany's "guest arbeiters", and the USA's student visa holders, work permit holders, refugees, and migrant workers.
        Reply |
      • 0 1
        Thanks for the tutorial on Canadians.
        In the Province of Ontario, there is a cluster of strip joints near the NY border. (How can a Canadian strip joint be so much preferred to domestic strip joint?)
        Western New Yorkers politely refer to this industry as "Canadian Ballet"
        Reply |
      • 0 1
        GreenKnighht - Expat = expatriate. It has nothing to do with patriotism.
        Reply |
    • 6 7
      This is an inflammatory and incorrect article. I have been an "expat" working on 2-5 year contracts for 25 years. My friends and colleagues have been of every race and creed, and I have never come across this "expat/immigrant" labelling. Not once.
      An immigrant is someone that moves to a new country to settle and find work. An expat is someone that moves to a new country for work. There is a fundamental difference in meaning, and race/skin colour is irrelevant.
      Reply |
    • 5 6
      Kind of shocked and offended by the hateful tone of this article, and usually would not post something like this so as not to spread any negativity - but it stirred up a lot of thoughts about how I identify with the term "expat" - or at least I did as a kid! and what that means.... This writer is coming from a fired up and definitely anti-expat-privelages slant, which I get... It feels weird sometimes to talk about the privelages I had growing up. But I guess some initial curiosity for me would be to ask why the writer wants to take away a term from someone's identity without asking what it means to "expats" and then jumps to the conclusion or just links any hurt in that removal of title to an idea of superiority - when really sometimes a term like this is a validation of a shared identity and by taking it away the writer is invalidating others' life experience.
      As someone who was born in an African country but considered "American" through my parents' nationality, I became an "American Expat" in the many countries I lived in as a child. Though to me the idea of expatriating means leaving a country, but how can you leave somewhere you've never been nor lived? So for a short time I was an "expat" of a country that never knew me... I have no problems being an immigrant or migrant, have been classified as such on international student visas. I had to give up my Setswana citizenship (my birthright) at age 21 to keep a US Diplomatic status, and my nationality now is solely linked to the US. Though if and when I have kids, they would need to have a parent from the US and or be born here to be US citizens because my connection only comes from my parents, and I can't pass on my citizenship.
      I think it is interesting to ask how we use the word "expat," how language can "other" people without intending - but my hope is that we can explore language and these kinds of words with compassion, curiosity, and empathy for people's life stories, experiences and identities.
      I guess I am just shocked that the Guardian printed something so hateful. (Under the guise of trying to stand up for equal rights and privelages.)
      Reply |
    • 0 1
      Josephine Baker, Bricktop and Langston Hughes were all considered expats.
      Reply |
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    • 0 1
      Hooot! It is good and remarkable to have someone with a 'looking in' viewpoint. I would be willing to bet that most people, (not just white people), have never examined the simple, observable fact.
      I have a vague sense of something being somehow wrong, but in the fog of general wrongs it is very hard to pinpoint that one. Thank you.
      Reply |
    • 4 5
      I have been both an expat and a migrant and don't have an issue with either term. One is not superior to the other in my view. The difference In terminology is that working on two year renewable contracts in three different countries my employment status was always considered to be 'an expatriate'. This was because I had no long term intention or right to live in the country permanently.
      When we chose to move permanently to Australia, and cleared all the required entry qualification fences, we cheerfully became new migrants or immigrants if you will. After gaining citizenship and living here for eleven years even that term has faded.
      Reply |
    • 1 2
      Why are rich people expats but the rest of us immigrants? Why are race-based takes on social problems politically correct but class-based ones forbidden?
      Reply |
    • 1 2
      There is a point in this report.I live in Cairo where there is a club for the expats who are mainly white. In this club I feel like a stranger among the members because I am not white.Now I realised the difference between immigrant and expat. As a Yemeni I am bewildered about my status if it happens that I live in Britain for example.
      Reply |
    • 0 1
      I think it has to do with the reasons for the person's leaving home. If the person leaves home for better economic opportunity or to escape political persecution elsewhere, it's immigration. If a person leaves home to avoid high taxes at home, it's expatriation. It has to do with how voluntary the exit is overall.
      Reply |
    • 4 5
      no I disagree. As a white english person who has spent many years living in Barcelona i am regarded as a guiri. A slightly disrespectful term for a foreigner, the same as for all immigrants. Expats is a term used by in my experience people who are immigrants and stay in their "expat" communities.
      But I have and do experience on a weekly basis the feeling that I am an "immigrant" and not deserving the same respect as the local people. And I speak Catalan and most of my fiends are Catalan. I have integrated but will always be an immigrant here. Noone from here knows the word expat.
      I do wonder that maybe its a good thing to experience what its like to be the "immigrant" . I can guarantee that as a white person you can still suffer from prejudice in foreign countries. Nice idea for an article but it is not correct.
      Reply |
    • 0 1
      Interesting... I think I have been both an immigrant, and an expat. The difference in my opinion is not in the color of your skin but in your $ arrangements...If you get compensated for the cost of living not in the local currency you are an expat. If you are there by choice and live like a local you are an immigrant.
      Reply |
    • 0 1
      Because white people make all the rules
      Reply |
    • 2 3
      Expats are likely to "go home" one day. Immigrants a re generally there to stay. Commonly, expats are white folks with "options". Many immigrants have no such choice to return where they came from. There's no racial bias, just fact and history.
      Reply |
      • 0 1
        This distinction is just wrong. Whether you are described as an immigrant or an expat has nothing to do with how long you stay. When I was studying fr a Master's with mostly non-white people we were told we had a lot of immigrants in our class. Most of these people have now left. In contrast there are a lot of expats who stay for years. If people are just honest enough to own up to their perceptions they will admit that people are described immigrants usually when they are non-white and seen as less economically well off. I am a member of www.internations.org It brings together 'expats' from across the world. Many of these are unemployed or students etc.
        Reply |
    • 3 4
      Actually, this article is a really accurate description of subliminal racism. I have lived in Spain for five years. I am disgusted at the way that Brits refer to themselves as 'expats' , whilst moaning that there are too many immigrants in the UK. The hypocrisy is breathtaking. I always refer to myself as an immigrant, because that is exactly what I am. Just another extranjero.... (foreigner) in a foreign land. The arrogance of Brits abroad is staggering.
      Reply |
      • 0 1
        Indeed. The current anti-immigrant hysteria in the UK is ironic. Immigrants to the UK are villified as failing to "integrate" by learning English, wearing ill-fitting clothes, eating egg and cress sandwiches or whatever. Meanwhile, around the world, British living in other countries are renowned for expecting people in host countries to speak English, and for living in closed anglo communities. Yes, Steve b, the hypocrisy is breathtaking. Nobody does sanctimonious hypocrisy quite as well as Brits and Americans.
        Reply |
    • 7 8
      In today's vocabulary, an expat is someone who is spending a few years abroad, is sent by his employer, with a specific contract and a remuneration package. An expat returns home (or indeed, is sent on to another foreign assignment) after a few years. Anybody who moves to look for a job elsewhere, and/or to stay permanently is an immigrant. So no, expat and immigrant/migrant are different term to me. The temporary nature of the assignment and the link to an employment contract in the country of origin are the key factors defining an "expat". I am happy to use that term for a person of any race, nationality or gender.
      I guess this just proves Wikipedia can let you down! ;-)
      Reply |
    • 1 2
      I am in an odd situation. I am a long term immigrant to Canada, in which I acquired citizenship over 30 years ago. I am working back in my South American homeland for a Canadian company, with all the perks of an expat contract. My fellow birth place colleagues find it odd to be an expat in your own country, but happy - or maybe not - for enjoying the perks of being expat. Funny thing, once back in Canada I will likely be thought of as immigrant, although the expat "perks" will be somewhat less.
      Reply |
    • 3 4
      I'm sorry but this article seems to have been written by someone who has no idea about what he is talking about. As a long time expat I can tell you the difference in very simple terms: Expats are professionals who are recruited for jobs from abroad, i.e. they choose well-paid jobs (and not countries) and then move wherever the job is. Expats typically get their moving and (most times) housing expenses paid by their employer. At the end of their contract, they may move on to other jobs in other countries. Immigrants, on the other hand, are people who choose a country to settle in (long term or for ever) and then try to find jobs there for a living. It's as simple as that Mr. Koutonin.
      Reply |
    • 0 1
      My Dad has foolishly hitched his vote to UKIP...I moved to Europe and I describe myself as an economic migrant. What else am I?
      As such I group myself with Rumanians, Bulgarians, Turkish people etc This annoys him a lot...sadly it hasn't yet made him reflect though.
      Reply |
    • 1 2
      Seriously, do you really need to ask why it is warranted that two different terms are used? Do you not think that perhaps "white people" (Europeans) have managed to achieve slightly more in terms of living standards in their home countries, and so that their *need* to emmigrate is not the same as for "the rest of us [you]"??
      Reply |
    • 5 6
      White people are called ex-pats because they typically come from equally developed countries to which they may choose to return for better opportunities if the current opportunities they are pursuing don't pan out. People from other parts of the world are called immigrants because they typically come from countries which don't have the same level of development and to which they have no intention or likelihood of returning because the country to which they have moved to will almost always offer better opportunities. It's not some grand mystery or manifestation of "supremacist ideology."
      Reply |
    • 2 3
      The key point which decides the term used is not the action (of moving to a new country) but the intention behind the action. If you intend to settle down long-term, you are called an immigrant. A short term move is an expat.
      Reply |
    • 2 3
      The Guardian loves any news, opinion etc. that accuses "white" people of being racist. So tell me Guardian, why does the picture on this article looks like it's taken from some TV show. Which insinuates that white people are all racist.
      Reply |
    • 43 44
      I think it's probably to do with economic dynamics, immigration is usually perceived as poverty driven. For example, relatively poor Bulgarians moving into France or the UK to work for better wages are considered to be 'immigrants' (although they are white). And a rich Qatari oil Tycoon living in a ridiculously luxurious flat in London is not considered an 'immigrant' (although he is not white).
      Poor people are 'immigrants'. Rich people are 'expats'.
      Reply |
      • 1 2
        A rich Qatari oil tycoon is not an expat either because he does not work in UK. If you look at the figures rich Nigerians spend money in London its well documented and they have children in expensive schools they are still immigrants when people talk about them. They don't even earn their money in the UK. So no this does not explain it either.
        Reply |
      • 8 9
        Brits retiring in Spain are a typical example of expats, right? They live on an income that originates in their home country and make no attempts to assimilate to the local society. That description would fit your random oil tycoons perfectly.
        Reply |
      • 4 5
        It's also about intentions. Expats are people there for a fix period who will return or move on at some point, immigrants are typically not going to leave.
        Reply |
      • 2 3
        True. Also Europeans are probably more likely to be posted abroad by their company or government.
        PS: I hate commas used as full stops! But that's because I'm an EU translator having worked abroad for 30 years...
        Reply |
      • 2 3
        Expats return or move on? Nope. I've been in Germany for 26 years and shall retire here. Rich or poor, naturalised or not, we're all theoretically 'mit Migrationshintergrund' (with migration background) BUT there is the word 'Edelausländer' (better class of foreigner) which fits the pernicious Expat distinction perfectly.
        Reply |
      • 0 1
        Expats are always assigned for a specific post abroad for a certain, limited amount of time. If you weren't assigned a specific post, but just "went there to work" with no specific job in mind, you're a migrant. If you decided to stay for good, you're not an Expat or migrant anymore, you are an immigrant. "expat" is not a very well-known term for temporary workers in Germany yet; and "migrant" as in "Wanderarbeiter" somehow got out of fashion, which is how "Edelausländer" might have appeared.
        Reply |
      • 0 1
        It always seemed, Expats relocated as a matter of choice. They liked country "A" better than their homeland or their homeland developed laws they didn't agree with. Immigration seemed less a matter of choice & more one of necessity. Maybe they needed work or were fleeing persecution. Of the ones I've talked to, most Expats seem to be fairly permanently relocated. Where as the immigrants will move again if necessary.
        Reply |
      • 0 1
        I don't think that's true. I've heard of "ex-pat communities" of English and New Zealand people in Australia for example who are very much there long term, and have no desire to go home. Some even take up Australian citizenship. They tend to congregate together, to maintain their home-country identity and traditions, and sometimes to whinge a bit about their new country of residence and its quirks - at least that is what I have seen! I am an Aussie long term resident of New Zealand and I have never referred to myself as an ex-pat but rather as a migrant, with some awareness of the irony of how odd that sounds. I don't congregate with other aussies especially, there is no "aussie" community here, and so the term expat doesn't really fit.
        Reply |
      • 0 1
        That is my understanding of the original definition as well however in casual usage expats under the proper definition are often labeled immigrants anyway for reasons of race or nationality.
        Reply |
      • 0 1
        "EDelauslaender": interesting. Never hear the word before, but it makes sense.
        Reply |
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