Hello... First, I must thank you, Tim, for introducing me a beautiful term, "Human- American" (hope womyns don't mind it). I, myself, suffered a lot from what to do (be able to) in the States. To an 1.2 (not even 1.5) generation of Korean immigrants, enjoying being a part of the mainstream (of the American (USA) society) is fancy. Most of the first generation comfort themselves with the thought that it's for their siblings; being an outsider (think of Albert Camus' _The Stranger_) is their chosen fate. Having been here for about ten years, considered to get citizenship but threw away that idea, after all. Obviously it's more beneficial to living, however, I couldn't picture myself being an American like a self-proud neighbor Mr. Smith who is well accepted by the society, without any cultural conflict. I'm not sure if I should have one. Maybe I'll end up being a die-hard Green Card holder. The "Melting Pot" is one of most childish ideas, which just reflects the ideology of the Cold War, in the US history (in my humble opinion). Military society is uniform. It sounds and looks strong, but most weakest society known is also military society. It lacks flexability of sound evolution to another form; not even mentioning its lack of morale. Probably, American history began wrong from the start. They (We?) conquered Native Americans, not got along with them; brought Blacks for slavery, not invited African Americans; invited Chinks and Japs for labours, not donated chance to Japanese and Chinese for the New World... should I mention Chicano, too? I admire, though, the openness of American culture; fairness I witnessed. I think Korea and Japan are, generally speaking, narrow-minded societies and are notorious for ethnocentrism; only two places Overseas Chinese failed to establish their communities. I talk too much here. What I'm trying to say is about history. I refuse to see (understand) the history provided by majority's point of view; I mean, majority as one who has vested rights (e.g. Caucasian). This is the first step to the *fair* communication (don't you think, Tim?). History has always had its own interpretation; Positivism (or being purely objective) of history is nonsense. As E. H. Carr wrote in _What is History?_, history is a dialogue between Past and Present. I think we're in the right Present, the turning point. Rising idea, the "Cultural Mosaic" or "Salad Culture," is based on the democratic corporatism. And it's our duty to build up new chapter, I think. About myself, I decided to be an outsider. Even in Korea (I was a proud Seoulite), I feel I would be an outsider; a decade can change mountain and river. There should be something I can do in outsider's society. I used to look down Korean Community which cynically enjoyed tons of problems within her. Now, I'm doing myself ready for LA. Yes, *my* Los Angeles. Thank you for reading (this far!). p.s. Henry ssi, yong-gi reul il-chi ma-se-yo. :-) ----------------------------------------- Mountain is mountain, water is water. --------------------------------------- J