I think that is the main thing. It reminds me of the dumb joke in a Firesign Theater album:
Why did the short-hair cross the street? Because someone told him to.
Why did the long-hair cross the street? Because someone told him NOT to.
Actually, you could replace short-hair with Asian or European and replace long-hair with American. It’s why we had a revolution.
It is a long heritage and what makes us uniquely dangerous to despots - eventually.
Clem: What do you mean?
Barney: Err....Because someone told him to. Now: Why did the long-hair cross the street?
Clem: Umm, because someone told him NOT to.
Barney: Oh, well, you heard that one.
Clem: No, I.....