I lived in South Carolina for several years and saw what you are talking about first hand. Where I live now in New England, tha AA populaton is more "mixed in" with the general population. I guess there are pluses and minuses to all that. I haven't seen the sense of community that I saw in the Black community there EVER in a white population. It's awesome - I miss it. I wasn't black but I was the sickle cell nurse and everyone knew me and I was accepted anywhere. I had the priveledge to see and experience the rich AA culture and "taking care of their own" that you are referring to first hand. Did I mention how much I miss it
I hope somehow I can help Addy see that she carrries a part of all that with her.
Thanks for your post,
Martha