Samenvatting

This article discusses some examples of the Dutch integration exam that illustrate how immigrants are expected not just to know about, but to internalize Dutch norms and values. Some of these norms and values involve freedom of speech and sexual equality. But the message conveyed by the test is that native Dutch are allowed to make use of their right to free speech and sexual self expression, while immigrants would do better not to complain, even if they feel annoyed or hurt by native Dutchmen exercising these rights. This does not so much imply that Dutch natives and immigrants are measured by a different yard-stick, but rather that the first are never measured while the latter remain subjected to measurement all the time. Even if they show deviant, inappropriate or immoral behaviour, native citizens self evidently belong to the Dutch nation, while immigrants, however assimilated and appropriate their behaviour, will never be released from the burden to prove that they are indeed full Dutch citizens.