Attraction of similarities

Historically, human beings have been highly migratory until they are able to settle in a suitable place where they can become comfortable in the given environment. And, the stronger the need to leave a particular place the better the chances that a given individual would not contemplate in making a return trip to the same forsaken location. Eventually, individuals with similar dispositions interact to become part of a larger group with which most likely would have defined rules and standards. Thus individuals who have given up the most at their places of origin tend to aggregate strongly upon arrival at their selected destination. They tend to become highly prejudiced and resent the entry of dissimilar individuals to their defined niche. However, the individual who leaves a particular place and does not have a desire to abandon it for ever, would have significant problems becoming adjusted to a new place and, most likely, comes under the severe scrutiny of the established groups. As a consequence, this unwanted individual almost certainly would drift to a similar collection of dejected and unwelcome individuals. And, this assemblage would tend to move to the fringes of settled territories, and contacts with the established groups become minimal at best. Over a period of time, this loosely knit group becomes the focus point for the disadvantaged. And, there are many in the group who would become industrious and able to establish businesses, educational facilities, and social clubs. The individuals, as a group, eventually adapt and learn how to survive within themselves. However, being “outsiders,” these individuals tend to become melodramatic about their homeland. Many of them would pass the time telling stories or singing songs with heartbreaking themes. And, the Puerto Rican poor would sing such songs as La Borinqueña, with the last verse translated as following: The Land of Borinquen Where I have been born, It is a florid garden Of magical brilliance or something like the Lamento Borincano (by Rafael Hernández ), with the last verse going like this: