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I find the current wave of hate directed towards Egyptians in Kuwait very disturbing. There is even a trending topic demanding that Egyptians be expelled out of Kuwait: #طرد_المصريين_من_الكويت
I'd like to share some thoughts on why this is a dangerous trend...
I'd like to share some thoughts on why this is a dangerous trend...
First and foremost, it's important to acknowledge the fact that all news we're exposed to is filtered by the biases of our social circles and the narratives people want to push, whether it's to serve a certain agenda or because it aligns with personal convictions.
And the news that is commonly spread is the news that perpetuates hatred and incites fear.
This is a natural human bias (we have a stronger aversion to threats than the pursuit of rewards). So what people share on WhatsApp is WAAAY more bad news than good news...
This is a natural human bias (we have a stronger aversion to threats than the pursuit of rewards). So what people share on WhatsApp is WAAAY more bad news than good news...
When it comes to Egyptians, the news being shared is bad news. Stories of corruption in government institutions and recent riots in camps where illegal Egyptian residents are being held for repatriation.
These Egyptians have become representative of the whole...
These Egyptians have become representative of the whole...
To say all Egyptians are like this (corrupt or causing trouble) is blatantly false and a gross generalization.
To say "most" or even "many" Egyptians are like this is also a stretch. At least it's hard to make such a case based solely off personal experience & WhatsApp forwards
To say "most" or even "many" Egyptians are like this is also a stretch. At least it's hard to make such a case based solely off personal experience & WhatsApp forwards
Are these stories truly representative of the 600,000+ Egyptians in Kuwait? (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriates_in_Kuwait)
Here's an interesting question: what sample size do we need before we can make a generalization about an entire population?
There are 2 answers to this...
Here's an interesting question: what sample size do we need before we can make a generalization about an entire population?
There are 2 answers to this...
Answer 1: It depends what narrative you want to believe.
If you want to (or already) believe Group X is bad, then a single story is enough. If you want to believe Group X is good, then no number of bad stories will sway you from believing they're good.
If you want to (or already) believe Group X is bad, then a single story is enough. If you want to believe Group X is good, then no number of bad stories will sway you from believing they're good.
We like to think of ourselves as objective, unbiased, and "looking at the evidence" (even when it's not representative or obviously one-sided), but we overlook our own biases and the extent to which we remain consistent with our personal narratives.
If you want to be fair and honest with yourself, you have to acknowledge the bias of personal narrative (what you've already told yourself about a people or a situation) and how that acts as an automatic filter to the stories you expose yourself to & the attention you give them.
Answer 2 (on what sample size is enough to form a generalization): there is no such thing.
No sample size is representative of the whole.
You can talk about present and prevalent trends. You can talk about a dominant culture, but this can never apply to the whole.
No sample size is representative of the whole.
You can talk about present and prevalent trends. You can talk about a dominant culture, but this can never apply to the whole.
And this is usually how WE expect to be treated: we don't want generalizations applied to us, so why make generalizations about others?
Generalizations are both false and unfair.
Generalizations are both false and unfair.
I don't deny there is corruption by Egyptians in government positions and this needs to be addressed, but it's important not to generalize or to treat all Egyptians as guilty until proven otherwise.
Want to give jobs being held by Egyptians to Kuwaitis? That's fine, but...
Want to give jobs being held by Egyptians to Kuwaitis? That's fine, but...
If you're taking people's jobs away, treat them with the respect you would like to be given.
Acknowledge that they are humans seeking financial security and an honest way to provide for their families. Nobody wants to lose their job overnight, without warning.
Acknowledge that they are humans seeking financial security and an honest way to provide for their families. Nobody wants to lose their job overnight, without warning.
The danger with stories that paint a group of people as a danger is that it gives us justification for hate and for violence towards them. Or at least lack of empathy.
We will either seek to cause them harm, rejoice when they experience harm, or feel indifferent towards them.
We will either seek to cause them harm, rejoice when they experience harm, or feel indifferent towards them.
This attitude corrupts the soul and leads to a more hostile and hurtful place to live, even if you're not being hurt yourself.
We should never lose sight of the fact that humans are humans, whatever other label we wish to place on them.
We should never lose sight of the fact that humans are humans, whatever other label we wish to place on them.
