Dee, a merger will just lead to more decline. Why though?
Do recognize that I try to answer with a pragmatic approach, without regard to social or political norms / correctness.
For right or wrong, middle-class white folks will leave when poorer blacks reach a critical level in their area. White flight. And it has and will continue to destroy once prosperous areas.
That is why I do not want to see a merger. We don't need an influx of low-income blacks. Face it, people will leave. I take it you can't remember what happened to many of the once beautiful, vibrant, and prosperous cities in near North County?