BlackFam,

Excellent points. Striver's Row in Harlem is an example to join the ones you listed of middle class enclaves of Blacks during segregation era.
I used to get into arguments with people when we were teens/20s. I had friends who said that the accomplished Blacks "owed" it to the community to stay around and yada yada yada. I felt that after crack and the violence associated with it, person's first priority was safe environment that they "owed" their family. If that was possible within the community,great....if not..time to get out.

All the people who were saying that "owe" stuff moved to the suburbs themselves years ago. Was just young idealistic talk coming out of their mouths.

The criminal/street element of our community has expanded GREATLY in the past 30 years....

Now, the funniest/saddest thing I've encountered are suburban thug wannabes..trying to ruin quiet towns . pathetic.