Covering:

” To cover is to tone down a disfavored identity to fit into the main stream”(Yoshino 539)

This is the basic thoughts of what covering is. It is what we do to hide parts of ourselves from society. Society as a whole has a list of things that you should be and things you shouldn’t be. The act of covering tries to push ourselves into that box even if we might not actually fit into it.

Assimilation:

” I recognize the value of assimilation, which  is often necessary to fluid social interactions, to peaceful coexistence, and even to the dialogue through which difference is valued. For that reason, this is no simple screed against conformity. “(Yoshino 540)

Assimilation is the act of becoming like a different culture. As the definition states.

“the process of adapting or adjusting to the culture of a group or nation, or the state of being so adapted:assimilation of immigrants into American life. “

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/assimilation

Authenticity:

” My ultimate commitment is to autonomy as a means of achieving authenticity. ”

Authenticity is being true to yourself, not hiding or covering who you are and living true to yourself.