Harlem

I met three different people in Morocco who mentioned wanting to see Harlem.  Usually this was in the context of the basic convo, "you're american, here are a lot of random facts I know about your country".  But it struck me as so odd that Harlem seems to have this international appeal.

I live about 10 blocks from east Harlem and am wondering what exactly people want to see?  Blighted neighborhoods?  Boarded up buildings?  Gross income disparities between heavily guarded apartment buildings and city projects? Drug deals in broad daylight?

Maybe there is the idea that Langston Hughes is on every corner writing poetry or that there are jazz musicians in the street, I just don't know.  If anyone has insight, comment it up.