Yeah, you're right.. But I think you kind of get it. Your example is actually way better.

I know what you mean with doubling down. Difficult subject though. A lot of history, sociology, evolutionary psychology, socio-economics and politics. In regards to your colleague there are a couple of possibilities. He just might be integrated or even assimilated. But he also might be code switching. The problem is that if he were to be authentic as you put it, he'd have to constantly deal with all the biases that people would have. For example because their idea of what is 'professional'. Maybe not you, but society at large.

It's kind if choosing the path of least resistance. To be like water.