I grew up in Birmingham (right in the middle - cant get more Brummie than me) I married someone from Cradley Heath and worked in Dudley, both right in the middle of the Black Country.
It is called Black Country 'cos in the old days it was covered in smog from the factories and foundries, nothing to do with people's skin colour.
I was made to feel very much a "foreigner" and my husband had obviously let the family down by marrying someone from Birmingham!!!I had the micky taken out of my accent all the time while living there.
the one thing I remember is of asking a native for directions to somehere , and her telling me the place I needed was by the "tunnel". there is no tunnel in Dudley. eventually after some persistance we eventually worked out she meant the "Town Hall"
BD