Assignment task: While there are many, one theoretical concept that is used as an example in this week's reading is the assimilation of the immigrant Ethiopian Jews to the ways of Israeli society in a way that does not give the Ethiopian Jews a choice. Following the same concept of assimilation, I have noticed in my own life an undercurrent of going with the flow and to try to not be different in America. It could maybe be labeled as "quiet assimilation" because it's not something I would have noticed and been able to articulate as a young person but looking back I can see how there was societal and cultural norms I wasn't aware of and was being pushed into. Having grown up with an entire culture that had different expectations and standards, trying to explain to others the reasons and beliefs behind why I couldn't come to a birthday party sleepover, or not having an understanding of popular culture to be on the same page as my peers was very difficult and isolating. There are many peer pressures throughout a person's life to be a part of the group and to follow directions in the way that they have been given. This not only squashes a person's ability to think creatively, and problem solves but forces them to be the way that society is trying to shape them to be. The environment and surrounding culture play a large role in the way a person understands the world and how they think. It would require a step back to see the bigger picture and a sense of self to understand the different cultures around you and then decide to not listen to the underlying current and be the person you want to be, believe in the things you want to believe in, and to promote and support human diversity.