In our past, we have been invaded by more organized, more cultivated armies; we have become their slaves, then have been adopted, learned their language, culture, have truly become assimilated and in turn have invaded others. (Well, I was thinking about Juilus Caesar invading the Gaules and Belgae during 52 BC).
For some time, we haven't been assimilated (well, I don't know actually, being completely immersed in french, english and dutch all the time:). But it doesn't mean assimilation is a bad thing.
It could be our survival and our entry into some galactic civilization ; we might not like it, it might certainly inhibit our freedom but we might get much much more, too.

Raoul