Ethnic assimilation occurred with varying rapidity among different ethnic groups. But the point that Steinberg makes is that it happened, and is happening. More interestingly is that when ethnic groups, like the Jews in higher eduction1 attempt to infiltrate an ethnically homogenous system they pull out the pluralism and democracy card. However, once these ethnic groups are in and sharing the ``pie'' with the others, they tend to shut the doors behind them. The Jewish vocality against the affirmative action statements showed this very well.
Turning to Peshkin, we see that assimilation amount ethnic groups like the Filipinos is ubiquitous. They understand that to make it in the outside world, they must get good grades and get on the college academic track. This means learning the language and eschewing the various items that distinguish them from the rest of Americans. Entry and acceptance into the American way of life constitutes various ``tests of linguistic, social and other behavioural skills relating to fitting in.''[I, p. 199] The students tend to want to assimilate; the drive towards assimilation, and the lack of internal stigmatism from their peers (i.e.: a Filipino student would never be accused of ``acting white'') allows them to move forward in society. As Steinberg argues: had blacks been allowed to compete for industrial jobs in the North (the same jobs that provided opportunity for millions of immigrants) they would be in a similar class status as Italians, Irish, Poles &c.