IT has become customary for some people in Kuwait to use anti-Expatriate rhetoric. These individuals tend to blame the expatriate population “Wafedeen” for almost all our social, economic and educational problems!
Instead of viewing the rich cultural experiences expats bring into our local environment; they, anti-Expats incline to see it as a threat. Ironically, however, throughout its history Kuwait has been a melting pot for all races, religions and sects. In fact, the native population of Kuwait came from different racial, social and cultural backgrounds. Such plurality of heritage has made our country a favorite place for migrant workers from Asia, Africa and different parts of the world. We know for example that many Kuwaiti citizens continue to feel proud about their historical and national heritages. In addition, such sense of variety, multiplicity of human backgrounds continue to make our society a tolerant, peaceful and collaborative environment. Accordingly, if the basic cultural and social infrastructures of this country and its people are based on plurality and multicolored human visions, why do we still have few people who continue to look down on expatriates, blaming them as intrusive, manipulative and supposedly causing all kinds of difficulties for the native population?
To answer such question one has to examine briefly the kind of intolerant mentalities that still operate in our society. Instead of cooperating with and welcoming hard working expatriates, anti-expats continue to produce what amounts sometimes to an aggressive and hostile rhetoric.
In addition, if analyzed further, one may find those who blame expatriates for our local problems more intolerant toward some of their own Kuwaiti compatriots. To illustrate; individuals who continue to be  rude toward expatriates tend also to use similar anti-social behaviors toward their own citizens.
As a case in point, such people also use anti-Kuwaiti rhetoric blaming those citizens who come from poorer backgrounds, different sects, or less predominant racial backgrounds of exhausting the resources of the country! Remarkably, however, some of those who fall victim to such class, cultural and sectarian rhetoric often use the same tactics against expatriates!
As a sane, rational and as a human being who wishes to be always just toward others, I would have adopted more tolerant discourses when I speak about expatriates. In fact, we as Kuwaitis have already achieved so much in our lives relying on the innate tolerant nature of our society. As such, we are supposed to be the most tolerant people in the region if not the world! Those who respect expatriates and treat them fairly as independent and decent human beings deserve all respect and admiration in the eyes of the civilized world.
khaledaljenfawi@yahoo.com