Yoshimo Reading Response 1) Yoshimos states, “ Covering is a hidden assault on our civil rights.”(P 480) Furthermore he argues that covering is difficult to indentify because it is associated with assimilation. Assimilation allows for individuals to secure jobs, fit in socially, and be a productive member of society. Covering does not allow a person to be their “true self”. When a person must ‘cover’ who they are, they must work doubly hard to mask their true identity. Yoshino uses the example of racial minorities having “ to act white” or a homosexual not being able to be themselves because of homophobia. Yoshimo suggests that this strips a person of their identity. As long as this continues the work for civil rights is not finished. Yoshino also argues that the search for our true self is the most important work we can do. 2) Covering as defined by Yoshino is “the way many human groups are being held back today”(p. 481) Civil right laws only protect traits that individuals cannot change such as skin color or sexual orientation. P.481 civil rights do not protect a person’s behavioral choices. Society no longer can fit into the cookie cutter standard of acceptance. We are a growing and diverse society. In order to be our true self we cannot allow covering to exist. Additionally, the term assimilation cannot be used to justify behavior to be in reality another form of covering. One social group cannot assimilate heir behavior just to be accepted by others. The terms ‘true self ‘ and ‘false self’ become part of the vocabulary when discussing covering. In many ways the fear of acceptance holds many people back from being their true self. The false self then serves as a protector to the true self. The concern becomes how much of the false self becomes a reality. 3) Yoshino notes that the Supreme Court favors liberty cases rather than those of equality. The legal system is leaning towards the fact that all civil right laws will be awarded to us no matter our race, sexuality, gender, etc. The rights will be given to everyone universally. Yoshino states “the great benefit of having civil rights in the form of universal liberty avoids assumptions about culture groups (484). Yoshino believes all stereotypes should be diminished from society for example a man fixing his car should not show his masculinity, it should show that his car needs repair. This trend is beneficial because nobody should have to hide who they truly are because society finds it to be strange or unacceptable. Hopefully with all of our diversity it will show us that we are not that much different from each other, and there should be no room for judgment. It’s our differences that make us who we are and we should not have to hide or forget who our true self really is.