>Well I think it depends. I am personally disgusted by America's view of "assimilation" because it attempts to strip people of their native heritage.<

In my eyes the problem is that America is not a racially/culturally homogenous state. It's like we are living in the United Nations. If black people wish to become financially adequate, and truely live in an equal society, assimilation into the majority and loss of native heritage is the only option. And this goes for other minority groups as well.

>I think other countries who have more of a "salad bowl" cocnept rather than the "melting pot" are better off because people can keep their native culture yet still engage in the given society they inhabit.<

But over time the off spring within that society lose a bit of that heritage with each new generation.


>But to stay relevant to the topic at hand, I think it is negative for blacks when you use the "melting pot" idea. It's probably positive for virtually any group witht he "salad bowl". <

Why is it negative?

>As far as finicial assimilation, I think that's been the biggest goal of a lot of cats in the last few decades. When you have money you don't have to worry about fitting into society or not because you have the resources and power to do what you please. So for those of us who feel left out of the hoop, the paperchase has become the goal. The problem with this is when you ask the question "at what cost?"<

Indeed, at what cost? Since black people have been in America the wheels have been geared for us to be on the lower end of the financial spectrum. But with the closing of the 20th century the idea of racial equality, in my opinion has taken form in our society. The standards & beliefs of our grandparents are dying with each new generation of youth. And the america of tommorow won't be how it is today. Assimilation is not a choice but is forthcoming.

If racial preservation is something that you value, what is to be done about black americas stagnant popluation growth? We've been at 12% for the last 10 to 15 years.

Latin immigration is rising and there population is building, where will we be in the next 50 to 100 years? Well there even be such thing as black americans anymore?