Disagrees with the assumption that assimilation is a national ideal or policy objective, highlighting how assimilation has been bowdlerized so that it is conceived of as a benign step toward social harmony, when in fact it generates new social problems. Critiques three traditional criteria for successful assimilation (e.g., accepting English as the national language), proposing three overarching points: assimilation is multidimensional, conflictual, and not irreversible. (SM)