Incredible observations, Lola!
Understandably, the more attuned you are with the runnings...living, working, breathing life here on a daily basis...not just reading the headline events or having limited knowledge from a small circle of "friends"...will always give you a better perspective/understanding of any community/culture.
Personally, I find this community full of very wise, incredibly strong people...I've been lucky enough to learn from them!