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My regular listeners have heard my take on this but I thought it was necessary to post it on the site for those who have not or can’t.
Since the time of its inception the USA has welcomed persons from every corner of the earth. Every race, creed and color was accepted.
Problems, complications and issues arose. In the end, the newcomers assimilated. They learned the language. They joined the workforce and became productive members of the society.
There is no difference between the idea of immigrant assimilation and that of joining a club or organization. Let’s say that you want to go camping, earn merit badges and do the Klondike derby with the boy scouts. You know that in order to do these things, you must join the Boy Scouts. So, join you do. You must conform to the organization’s rules. The requirements for being a Boy Scout are as follows:
Boy Scout Program Membership
Boy Scouting, one of the traditional membership divisions of the BSA, is available to boys who have earned the Arrow of Light Award or have completed the fifth grade, or who are 11 through 17 years old. The program achieves the BSA's objectives of developing character, citizenship, and personal fitness qualities among youth by focusing on a vigorous program of outdoor activities.
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Uniform
The uniform makes the Boy Scout troop visible as a force for good and creates a positive youth image in the community. Boy Scouting is an action program, and wearing the uniform is an action that shows each Boy Scout's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. The uniform gives the Boy Scout identity in a world brotherhood of youth who believe in the same ideals. The uniform is practical attire for Boy Scout activities and provides a way for Boy Scouts to wear the badges that show what they have accomplished.
OK, so you understand the rules of membership. You don’t like them, but you must conform to them if you wish to reap the benefits of membership. Why must these requirements exist? You don’t want to wear that dorky uniform anyway. Well, sacrifice, structure, self-discipline, humility, respect for authority and leaders are all parts of maturity, character and success. Conforming to rules and structure allows each individual member to share common experiences and grow as one, as a member of the team. Each member, still maintaining their individualism but growing and learning as one. The parts assimilate into the whole creating a strong team. They share a common goal, work together for the good of the whole and learn to respect the value of one. Joining and assimilating does not diminish the individual, it broadens the perspective and through an understanding of others, allows us to know ourselves better. It empowers the individual.
(see below for more)
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