The fact that we're all hyphenating our names suggests that we are afraid of being assimilated. I was talking on the BBC recently, and this woman introduced me as being "in favor of assimilation." I said, "I'm not in favor of assimilation." I am no more in favor of assimilation than I am in favor of the Pacific Ocean. Assimilation is not something to oppose or favor - it just happens.
![The fact that we're all hyphenating our names suggests that we are afraid of being assimilated. I was talking on the BBC recently, and this woman introduced me as being in favor of assimilation. I said, I'm not in favor](http://cdn.quoteddaily.com/images/richard-rodriguez/the-fact-that-were-all-hyphenating-our-names-suggests-that-we-are-afraid-of-being-assimilated-i-was-talking-on.jpg)