Who are “people of color”? What is “Asia”? What are these never-ending gazes? This article aims to explore terms that are controversial and raise questions about our relationships with others and with ourselves as expats.
Understanding the notion of "people of color"
“People of color” is a phrase that often sparks debate. Who are these “expats of color” in Asia? Should this term be seen as synonymous with Black people, or should it instead refer to non-white people? This would imply using white skin color as a reference point, a perspective many opponents of the term “people of color” refuse to adopt. In their opinion, the term itself is racist.
“Poem to my white brother”
In an interview on November 10, 2020, on Deutsche Welle's (DW) Rights and Freedoms show, Dr. Marie-Noëlle Nono discussed the term “person of color.” “I have always found it somewhat insulting. [...] I feel there is a part of guilt on the part of those who use it as if they think: 'if we use the term "Black," it might shock the person…' Because 'black' is always associated with what is bad, with darkness and negativity...” However, she believes that the term “person of color” is, in fact, shocking. Because there is no "black race," just as there is no "white race." There is "the human race."
Of course, this does not deny the existence of different skin colors and genetic variations due to "melanin production." In 2012, the doctor authored an op-ed in the French newspaper La Nouvelle République in which she relegated the term to France's colonial past that the country must confront. One should dig to rid the term "black" of all its bad connotations in this past. Some do not use the expression “person of color” thinking they are harming; on the contrary. But just as no white person is shocked to be described as white, a Black person is not shocked to be described as black. “Whether we are white, black, yellow, or red, we are all 'colored,'” the doctor concludes. She recalls the famous "Poem to my white brother," attributed to Léopold Sedar Senghor.
Who are the “people of color”?
An article published on January 16, 2023, on the Study International website notes that in the United States, “people of color” comes from the translation of the French term “personnes de couleur.” Efren Perez, a professor of political science and psychology at the University of California at Los Angeles, points out that the phrase, once used to designate Black people, has been extended to Asians, Native Americans, Latinos, etc. Here again, the term is controversial.
Why not ask the people concerned? Faced with her white students' anxiety about appearing insulting in front of their peers of different skin colors, Yolanda Moses, a professor of anthropology at the University of California at Riverside, simply advises: “Ask them.” She wonders whether we should rather name people according to their country or continent of origin. "Since we say "African-American," why don't we say "Euro-American"? Would using the term "Euro-American" make the term "White" obsolete?"
The professor highlights a counter-movement from anti-racist activists who question racist expressions, reappropriate them, and redefine them to affirm their identity and unite all ethnicities. Refer to the #BlackLivesMatter movement, which has gathered well beyond just Black people. This is called "stigma reversal," specifies sociologist Véronique Clette in an article by Simon Bourgeois published on June 24, 2020, on the website of the Belgian newspaper RTBF.
In the same article, Mireille-Tsheusi Rober, an anti-racist activist and president of the ASBL Bamako (a female anti-racist watchdog committee), reminds us: "How I am called cannot be determined by me alone or the other alone. It's an exchange, but from which Blacks have long been excluded". Linguist Laurance Rosier adds that any expression has a symbolic charge. "The negative expressions associated with Blacks have effects to this day." For the linguist, the current charges against expressions like "people of color" express "a desire for symbolic reappropriation of an identity, not only for oneself but in the eyes of others."
Living as an expat of color in Asia
Let's recall that this article aims at understanding "what it feels like" to live in an Asian country as an expat. The term "person of color," which evokes a racist past, is, of course, set aside. It is thus about questioning how foreigners perceive their daily lives in their host country in Asia. Still, we have to agree on what Asia is.
Just as some have "an idea" of what a "Black" person is (often filled with stereotypes), some have "an idea" of what "Asia" is. Asia would be Japan, South Korea, China, etc., essentially in the East. This "idea of Asia" tends to disregard the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and Qatar.
Indeed, the Asian continent includes 50 countries: Afghanistan, , Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Myanmar/Burma, Brunei, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Taiwan, Thailand, East Timor, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Vietnam and Yemen.
Some countries span on two continents. Thus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkey are Eurasian states; being both European and Asian continents. The UN does not recognize Palestine as a fully-fledged state but as an "observer state."
How do you live in a country where all the eyes are on expats of color?
Who is "everyone"? The term could be close to "one." It is simpler to use this personal singular pronoun, which refers to "everyone" or, rather, "no one." Who are these people who "look at us all the time"? We could likewise question the "us." Do all foreigners living in an Asian country feel constantly observed? And what about, for example, an Asian expatriate in another Asian country? What could be the testimony of a person of Pakistani origin who has immigrated to Japan, India, Laos, or Turkey?
Of course, people do not "look at us" "all the time." However, the question can make us reflect on our perceptions of the other (the article will continue to use "one" for convenience). These perceptions are often erroneous, drawing their roots from countries' histories, with repercussions to this day in various areas of life: work, entertainment, social interactions, etc.
But while "one" represents no one in particular, "everyone" implies the entire population. "Everyone" looks at us. This entirety suggests that "the whole world" (for this article, all the locals living in Asian countries) looks at us as "foreigners," also meaning that every person with Asian nationality would spend their time looking at every foreigner. Breaking down the expression can be quite funny. We know well that this is not the case. "Everyone" underscores the fact that "many local Asians" look at foreigners.
Nevertheless, the expression is questioning because it induces a bias, ignoring important variables such as the country, the region, the city, the neighborhood, the place (countryside, downtown, sports club, workplace, and which workplace, grocery store, shopping center, etc.). The looks will not always be the same. Sometimes, there will be no look at all. And sometimes, the looks will be very present.
The same reasoning applies to the end of the question. Sometimes, it is necessary to force the trait, even if it means being very literal. We understand that the locals do not spend all their time looking at foreigners -- they have better things to do. But like the formula "everyone," the expression "all the time" induces a bias. Yet, we are so used to hearing and using these expressions that we sometimes forget the diversions they induce. They indeed provide a blurred, even erroneous, vision of very diverse realities.
Testimonies and contrasting perspectives
Let's conclude with some thoughts and testimonies from these expats in Asia. Each one has their own story, and trying to draw any general truth from them would be futile. These narratives are just as many journeys, meetings, good news, disillusionments, learnings.
The United Arab Emirates, the new land of immigration
Should you be Arab or White to benefit from the best treatment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)? The country, mainly composed of foreigners, has been developing new strategies to attract more and more foreign talent. But does the regard for these foreign talents vary according to their skin color? It's a question white immigrants ask themselves, faced with an obvious difference. One of them, Zane, testified in April 2016 to the New Zealand newspaper Stuff. He observed that Arabs were treated with great respect. Next came the Whites. Others, especially Indians, Filipinos, Bangladeshis, or Pakistanis, faced more discrimination. Indians, however, form the largest community of expatriates in the UAE, representing nearly 30% of the population. Although they make up the majority of the population, less than half belong to the white-collar category.
Zane relays the testimony of an Indian expatriate who discusses the numerous discriminations suffered by Indians, whether they are blue-collar or white-collar. They earn less than Arab or white employees in the same positions, enduring "the looks" that are sometimes contemptuous from other populations. In 2020 and 2021, other Indian expatriates, on the other hand, shared their success stories, reminding us that generations of Indians have lived in the UAE (especially since the 1960s and the oil boom). About 20% of Indians in the UAE are wealthy. They emphasize the "social bubbles" or "spheres" where the regard changes. Holding a position of responsibility in banking, finance, or real estate brings you into one of these "social bubbles" of success. They do not hide the existence of discrimination, however. For them, this is the other face of the UAE, far from the avant-garde image that the country intends to give itself.
Dealing with inquisitive looks in India
"Expect to attract looks." Angélique testified on Spirit Travelers, Tom's travel blog. She is white and discovered her "first dozens of looks during her first selfies" upon arriving in Haridwar. "It's strange, for once, I was 'the different person,' the discriminated one." Looks that can be "heavy," but to which the traveler has become accustomed. Nedjma had a similar experience: "The most disconcerting thing was being photographed all the time [...]."
For Anaïs, "traveling through northern India as a Western woman is generally expected to be surprising in the eyes of Indians." This realization sounds like a lesson in humility for the young woman. "[...] as difference arouses curiosity, to travel is to accept both. During a trip to India, don't we ourselves spend our time contemplating Indians?"
Women's rights, the weight of culture, patriarchy, etc. We hear a lot of stories about women traveling alone in India. But Anaïs says she felt completely safe. Angélique perceived misunderstandings in the looks of Indian men. A woman traveling alone is not part of the country's habits. White men also talk about these looks. In January 2023, the YouTuber Tomas Masa testified on his channel: "There are a few foreigners in New Delhi, so you will quickly attract all the looks despite the crowd. It's quite difficult to go unnoticed."
Starting a conversation in South Korea
In June 2022, Kyo, an international student in Suwon (1 hour from Seoul), spoke about these famous looks, too. The student is Black and humorously shared his stories about "Kyo in Korea" on his YouTube channel: "Be prepared to be for the looks. You won't go unnoticed." The student considers this situation "normal," as few Black people are in South Korea. "Some Koreans have never seen Black people before; others travel mainly to neighboring countries, where, again, there are few Black people."
On the plus side, Kyo says he was able to make contact with Koreans easily. Some came to talk to him precisely because he is Black, curious to know his story. Others initially just wanted to improve their English, and the discussions led to genuine friendship. But on the "less fun" side, Kyo notes, "there are people who can really see you as a 'rare species.' Some will be wary [...], because as the skin color is 'new to them', people will not know how to approach you or behave with you..." But he insists that we must not lump everyone together.
Still, Kyo has experienced some awkward moments (a person who changed sidewalks to avoid crossing him, others who approached to take photos of him...). Still, he is clear about having never experienced racism. "It's just awkward, uncomfortable sometimes." He recalls that a single look can hide many intentions. "However, we should not attribute everything skin color." Kyo believes that "some Koreans do not come to talk to you because they are shy. Others avoid the conversation "because you are a boy. Others still come to you precisely because you come from another country." Kyo is French and recalls having exchanged with many Koreans precisely because he is French: "They see me as French, European..." For him, fearing others' looks should not hinder the desire to move to a foreign country, recalling that every situation must be examined "on a case-by-case basis."
Saudi Arabia opens up to foreigners
Saudi Arabia is expecting 3 million Chinese visitors as a result of the rapprochement between China and Saudi Arabia. A bilateral convention now facilitates the travel of Chinese nationals to Saudi Arabia. In June 2023, the two countries confirmed their rapprochement through investment agreements worth $8 billion between Saudi and Chinese companies. Schools and universities in Riyadh offer Chinese courses, calling on Chinese teachers directly. This is yet another way to strengthen relations between the two countries.
Still, it is difficult to get feedback from the expatriates concerned. Officially, everything always goes well. In practice, these encounters between individuals of different origins arouse curiosity. There are very few Chinese nationals in Saudi Arabia. Not corresponding to the host country's "standards" can attract looks that can be more or less insistent but not necessarily hostile.
Does racism exist in China?
In 2021, Elizabeth obtained a bachelor's degree in Business Administration at the University of Yichang in China. In August of the same year, she testified in front of Danny Matendo, creator of the YouTube channel Experiences Abroad. Having arrived in China in 2016, she spoke about a complicated situation, as "there were not many Black people in Yichang, so they were not used to it." Élisabeth believes that racism exists in China. "It depends on the regions and the cities."
She recalls how one day, while she was retouching her makeup in a restroom with a friend, a Chinese woman arrived and screamed when she saw them. "We were shocked. She made us feel like she saw monsters. We felt humiliated and insulted. We were stunned. We didn't even know how to react. We were scared, and she was scared, too. She finished screaming. We looked at her, and she left." If she had to go through this all over again, Elizabeth believes she would also scream to show the other person that she might also look scary.
Has discrimination been on the rise since the pandemic?
In Elizabeth's opinion, the situation has worsened. Upon her arrival in the country, she did not expect to face this kind of racism. She agrees she has had some good experiences with the locals, but rarely. According to her, "many Chinese have backward ideas about Black people and about the African continent." Some question her out of simple curiosity, an others have ulterior motives. She even claims to have noticed a difference in the way her university deals with issues. "At the university, they do not mix us with the Chinese for activities. I have been elected "Miss" of my university, but I know that my election has not changed anything among the Chinese students. They don't even know that I am the Miss of this university as they were not present during the Miss election, reserved for international students."
Still, Elizabeth remains optimistic and recalls that if there are racists in China, they are not omnipresent. As she mentioned previously, she has has some good experiences with her Chinese friends and the Chinese culture. Other expatriates might, of course, feel and see things differently, fueled by their experiences. This is why Elizabeth believes that it's best to move and get a feel of what life is really like in the country.
Dealing with curious looks as an expat in Asia
We could have discussed the case of this white immigrant working in Tokyo who experienced "her first case of racism" in 2016. She was in the subway when the doors opened. A Japanese man entered and, seeing her, exited the wagon to enter another one. "This had never happened to me before, as a White person." We could also discuss the case of this Black employee, who has been working in Osaka for several years and feels perfectly comfortable in his environment. He no longer wonders about the looks. Many have indeed disappeared, and not only in large cities, cosmopolitan neighborhoods. Some areas in the countryside are surprisingly pleasant, with locals enthusiastic about welcoming foreigners. The employee from Osaka, who speaks Swahili, Japanese, English, and French, is more interested in the relationships he has forged with the locals. "I'm lucky to have privileged relationships and solid friendships with Japanese and foreigners." Many foreigners who have immigrated to an Asian country also feel the same way, emphasizing the richness of the bonds created with the local population and highlighting the importance of exchange.
Sharing and exchanging
All testimonies emphasize interactions and sharing as indispensable. Discovery happens in both directions and can lead to genuine bonds because the looks go both ways. Before feeling observed by everyone, one should remember that expats themselves tend to look at others a lot.
Moving to a major tourist city won't spare you, and these looks will not necessarily be omnipresent in more remote areas. Whether or not you live in a land of immigration, being one of the rare representatives of one's ethnicity" can be pretty challenging. Looks can be persistent, even in popular expat destinations. Sometimes, just going to the neighboring village is enough to become "the only foreigner in the area" and attract all sorts of looks that can also be mistaken, because they qualify as "foreigners" people who have a different nationality.
But sometimes, rejection and racism can be hidden behind hostile looks. Expats must be aware of this, regardless of the country. This awareness does not lead to distrust but rather to reflection and taking a step back so that you can get the most out of your stay. You might well be "the only foreigner in the area" and thus "the only representative of your people." While you cannot change all looks, remember that looks can change over time and interactions to create genuine bonds, not based on preconceived ideas but on what one will learn about the other. In the end, all these interactions call for humility and lead to a new look at oneself. A circle that many expats hope will be virtuous so that their host country becomes their new home.
