OK.
					
						 
					
						For the same reason why we living in a society we need 
						laws - we also must learn to assimilate w/ in society.
					
						 
					
						Assimilation allows for success.
					
						 
					
						Of course, there is such risk as over-assimilation and 
						then you have the 50's and need characters like the 
						Beats and Marlon Brando and Elvis to help rebel against 
						the norm to challenge certain status quos that have 
						become way too square and in the box and threaten 
						progression and diversity.
					
						 
					
						Yes, assimilating to have the right to be a diverse, 
						democratic society is what we Americans are all about - 
						(at least in theory).
					
						 
					
						America is supposed to be the land of the brave and the 
						land of the free - And by assimilation we come to 
						realize this. And the only rebellion we need against our 
						own authority is for positive change which only leads to 
						a better of quality of life.
					
						 
					
						Harping on someone and harassing them because they are 
						"acting too white" like the examples Paula has shown us 
						is unacceptable and unproductive for everyone involved. 
						This is not being a rebel but being ignorant and 
						blatantly stupid. Thugs are thugs and not cool rebels. 
						They degrade themselves and society and pull everyone 
						around them down to the gutter.
					
						 
					
						For instance, Jim Morrison was a rebel and a rebel for 
						good. An intellectual rebel like Jim is good for 
						progression - through teaching us to "break on through" 
						and question ourselves, question authority, question 
						reality and search for a better way within all these 
						areas - in which great poets are supposed to do for 
						society.
					
						 
					
						However, these poets are assimilated enough to make a 
						difference to be effective - They live on the outside of 
						the inside and inside of the outside - and are different 
						enough without being too weird or lawless = They walk 
						that fine line.
					
						 
					
						Best of the Roses,
					
						John French    mystrawhat.com
					
					
						Things We're Afraid to Say: 
						Webs of Everyday Media
					
					
						 
					
						StrawHat Productions