Which side do you identify with now?
I don't identify with an ethnic group; that is far too limiting for me.
I highly value knowledge and intelligence, and that probably came a lot from my Jewish Mom (both genetically and 'culture'), but probably also a little from my Catholic Dad as well.
I also have a drive for achievement which I'm sure came a lot from my Catholic Dad (both genetically and 'culture') but I'm sure a little bit from my Jewish Mom as well.
And growing up I spent lots of time with the families of childhood friends (which includes first generation immigrant from India, WASP, second generation immigrant from Armenia, African American Baptist, and many others. I don't consider myself a part of any of those groups (just like I don't consider myself to be a Jew or a Catholic), but I paid attention to their culture as well and took things from them that were traits worth valuing.
It is not about associating with a group; I feel perfectly comfortable as an individual that doesn't get boxed into one culture. I take everything I learn from each culture and person and try to take the best from it and apply it to myself. If you are interested in self betterment you'd be foolish not to do the same thing.
This pretty much sums up what's wrong with the US. Look, I'm all for cultural diversity and integration, and am the least racist person I know..but cultural diversity and integration only lead to the eventual watering down of the culture. It would be foolish to not want to preserve your culture and heritage.
Quite the opposite; the best way to evolve as a person is to embrace every culture for the best they have to offer. Unless you want around you to all be the same; and if that's the case you must live a pretty boring, unstimulating life.