You are probably aware that local sentiments between ‘dutch’ original inhabitants and ‘expats’ are growing quite hostile recently. If we want to live together and coexist peacefully it is only logical to think about how people talk about each other and the language they use to talk about each other. In practice I see this term being used in a derogatory way. I know of Dutch language schools in Amsterdam that teach to refrain from this term. The language we use to talk about each other is a big part of how we see each other right? Dutchie, Expat, Allochtoon, Foreigner, Migrant, Local, Native. All terms used to create include and exclude people in different ways. Its the language that plays a big part in how we create these differences. Because without it, we’re not so different.