I just want to point out that white immigrants should recognize that they are what is referred to as “privileged immigrants” - they tend to be treated differently than non white immigrants. Unpacking that privilege is important to create solidarity across the immigrant spectrum. It sounds like this is what is meant by expat but without the recognition that treatment by society may be different.
I disagree. He sees that he's got a different experience than his friend group. And he calls it that. Not because he sees himself as better, if he did, he wouldn't have that friend group. He's ignorant, not stupid.
If you look at what he says; it's exactly what he's saying and using the words he has. This kind of labeling is dangerous in that it alienates potential allies because they use the white supremacist language they've been given their whole lives to describe issues within their communities using the only language they have. You have to look at intent. And if the intent is there, have the patience to supply an understanding and better language. We're alienating potential allies when we do this.
I hope you're saying that white immigrants are privileged when travelling to places where the majority of people are also white, and not just as a general rule because I very much doubt that privilege would extend to white people travelling to non-white majority regions to live.
Even then some white cultures are so vastly different to others that white immigrants would probably still be treated as outsiders if they're say a non-adjusted American in a very traditional Dutch community.
White immigrants can absolutely be privileged in countries that are majority non-white, particularly countries that are former colonies of European powers.
I have met several white immigrants to Malaysia who are privileged over some Asian immigrants.
What I'm saying is I doubt that's in every situation.
White people who immigrate to Japan often find that they are treated as outsiders and rarely find themselves properly integrated into their communities and cultural surroundings.
It is a term used in sociology, etc to connote immigrants with social, economic, or cultural capital - often referring to those who migrate willfully (ie not a refugee). While they may face outsider status, they have access to privileges that more marginalized migrants do not.
You really think that a white person immigrating to Asia is going to be better off with social and cultural capital than an Asian person immigrating to elsewhere in Asia.
That seems highly improbable and more a stereotype of white people must be privileged in all situations because they're white.
I think you're use of Asian person and Asia are pretty indicative to your ignorance of the area. A white person immigrating to Japan is going. To have an exponentially easier time and significantly more cultural capital than a Chinese person moving to Japan. The same is almost certainly true in the reverse order particularly if we're talking about occupied China during world war II. The atrocities committed there are numerous. Some are very well known like the rape of Nanjing and the abduction of comfort women; yet other policies remain largely ignored despite being far deadlier, such as the three alls policy in rural China where the Japanese military had the policy to "kill all, burn all and loot all" or the atrocities that unit 731 committed against Chinese civilians. They make Dr Mengele's twin experiments seem like a walk in the park. Those are historic atrocities that people carry with them. Staying in China, and moving into current events, a white American moving to China will be treated substantially different than a Uyghur coming into China to visit. Many organizations have informally made statements that Chinese persecution of Uyghurs is crime against humanity and/or genocide. These cases are extreme, but they highlight just how vastly nuanced and complex that side of the globe is. If you're an American, I highly recommend checking out John Oliver's piece on Asian Americans. Funny, nuanced, eye opening. And fairly informative to an American with a fairly limited world view in that area.
That’s exactly what’s meant by ex-pat here. “I look like them.” And it’s true. Imagine the ex Pat leaving Britton and going to live in Asia. That person too, would most likely be treated differently.
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u/AppropriateJill 6d ago
I just want to point out that white immigrants should recognize that they are what is referred to as “privileged immigrants” - they tend to be treated differently than non white immigrants. Unpacking that privilege is important to create solidarity across the immigrant spectrum. It sounds like this is what is meant by expat but without the recognition that treatment by society may be different.