The 'other' looks back: Racial distancing and racial alignment in migrant domestic workers' stereotypes about white and Chinese employers

Anju M. Paul

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

While the racial and ethnic stereotyping practised by the employers of migrant domestic workers has received significant scholarly attention, these workers' racial essentializations of their employers have been largely ignored. Drawing upon interviews with Filipino migrant domestic workers in Singapore and Hong Kong, I present findings concerning the racial stereotypes these workers hold about white and Chinese employers. This stereotyping involves both racial distancing from local Chinese employers and racial alignment with expatriate white employers. This two-track racial project is a defensive tactic that allows Filipino workers to redefine themselves as occupying a higher position in the global racial order (as they see it) on cultural grounds. However, it also makes them complicit in naturalizing legacy stereotypes that valorize whites as morally and culturally superior. In addition, it encourages them to privilege the West as an idealized destination where they fantasize they will enjoy comfortable working conditions from local white employers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1068-1087
Number of pages20
JournalEthnic and Racial Studies
Volume34
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2011

Keywords

  • Domestic work
  • Filipino migrants
  • Migrant labour
  • Racial hierarchy
  • Racial stereotypes
  • Racialization

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cultural Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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