"can't beat 'em, join 'em"

The New York Times has an interesting story on residents who have lived in Flushing since before it was heavily Asian, and are now taking steps to adapt by participating in a weekly Mandarin clsss: In Queens, Classes in Mandarin Are Also Lessons in Adaptation. The class attracts a varied assortment people, many of whom have adopted a "can't beat 'em, join 'em" attitude in regards to area's the booming Asian population. I guess it's not just wealthy white parents sending their kids to Mandarin lessons—old folks are learning too!