[quote=FlyerInHi]BG, are you saying life for Blacks is more wholesome in the South?. . . [/quote]Yes, I would say Black families are surrounded by “wholesomeness” in flyover country, especially if at least the family matriarch is still alive, active and influential. SoCal blacks have “wholesome” lives as well if those living in lower income areas can successfully keep their kids out of gangs and band together with law enforcement to successfully keep the gang influence from infiltrating their neighborhoods. And many are. It takes a village and many of these tight-knit communities have that “village” in place. Black families want the best for their kids and most want them to get accepted into college just like all parents.
The Black community in Oakland and surrounds (NorCal – Alameda Co) is far more entrenched, well-established and prosperous than those of SoCal cities (except maybe west/NW LA and SF Valley cities where entertainment industry workers and celebrities typically choose to live). RE has gotten so expensive in Oakland in the past decade+ that rents have skyrocketed, leaving out a lot of prospective tenants who have Section 8 vouchers and other marginal low-income groups whose kids were/are more prone to fall prey to gang influence, mainly due to lack of supervision after school. Due to its superior location, gentrification has taken hold in Oakland to such an extent that all but the most established longtime homeowners and other residents with good incomes have been priced out of the area forever.
The Oakland I knew as a elem/jr high schooler living in Alameda Co in the mid-late ’60’s is night and day from the Oakland we know today. It’s gone from a burned out city (in many areas) which was dangerous to even drive in during the day to a vibrant, exciting city with breathtaking views that anyone would be fine with walking around in at night ~50 years later.
What keeps the black communities together and successful is living near extended family, having decent-paying jobs to go to and their faith. Most Blacks could care less whether the immediate area they call “home” is 2 miles from the beach, 25 miles from the beach or in the middle of “flyover country.” Living in “coastal locations” isn’t as coveted by this group as it might be for members of some other ethnic groups or nationalities.
