 By Jared W. Smith, AIA, NOMA The below is part an overall series to discuss bias and privilege within the profession of Architecture. To get a better context in which I wrote this, please see the Kick-Off page here on the Equity by Design: EQxD Get Real Series. You can also see this post on EQxD here: Architecture: Open to ALL by Jared W. Smith I was on a trip to China, studying abroad with my college classmates. Being a 6'-4" African American in China, I expected to stand out. One day while in Shanghai, I ventured out on my own close to the university dorms. There was an indoor market with vendors selling various small items. I walked the floor glancing at the goods. At one vendor's station, I found something of interest. They seemed very hesitant as I approached. Having been in the country for a couple weeks I was aware that I'd attract some attention but this was like no other. As I continued to peruse, I could feel their discomfort growing. It escalated to a point where they did not want me to remain at their table to purchase anything. I was shocked to be "shooed" away. A bit of calm rather than anger came over me. It was best that I hadn't made a scene in a foreign country. Later on it hit me what had occurred. Yes, I stand out. Architecture has historically been a white male dominated profession. According to the Directory of African American Architects, African Americans make up less than 2% of registered architects. Does that put me at a disadvantage? Could others act bias towards me? Possibly. That does not mean I should agree to it or remain without changes for better equality. This is not to discredit anyone of any other nationality that has put in hard work and dedication to become successful in the profession. However with similar education, abilities and a creative prowess for quality design, we all deserve to be at that table. Why is this not the norm?
How can we achieve that norm? Or could it be an advantage? Coming from a background of two working class parents whose own parents were low income, I had little to be considered privileged. My family was blessed to never be without the necessities. My parents both sacrificed to attain their Masters’ degrees while raising my brother and me. Privilege doesn't start at adulthood but from the influence enumerated at birth through adolescence to adulthood. What is allotted and taught to our children as they develop is what they will become and feel as adults. This article by Toby Morris illustrates this principle of the effects of our upbringing. Where have things gone astray? For one, African Americans are not shown in a good light in our society. This affects how we are perceived no matter what profession. The negative display exasperates a bias nature. Bias and privilege affect Architecture as a profession today by creating a sense of entitlement. African Americans may think "I am not good enough," or "I cannot attain that," or "I'm not qualified to enter that competition," Negative thoughts bring upon negative actions. If you believe you can't, then you are halfway toward failure. Possible solutions - A showcase of senior and highly experienced African American architects in the profession. Not only is it a benefit but also a motivation to aspiring architects. A coinciding article entitled "Why the Lack of Black Students" touches on this need. These future architects get a confidence boost seeing those they can relate to in positions they hope to hold one day. In a recent article by Entrepreneur.com, building individual confidence plays a major role in a successful business and improved perception by others. I am grateful to have had a rather diverse schooling environment as well as a diverse workplace. New York City is known for being America's Melting Pot full of determined individuals striving for their dreams no matter the obstacles. As a whole, more change is necessary. Years ago while surveying at a housing authority complex I came across a 30-something African American man confined to a wheelchair. He observed me as I used my binoculars and camera. I was documenting facade deterioration. He proceeded to ask, "Hey where do you work and are they hiring?" I proceeded to tell him I worked for an architecture & engineering firm. He then said "That looks easy. I can do that." Continuing the conversation, I went on to explain briefly the profession and what I was doing. He said "So.. you're an architect" and I replied yes, as soon as I pass all my exams. He asked "Are there many of us?" By the skepticism in his voice and bewildered look, I know he figured there were not many. I said No. He ended the conversation in a way to respectfully leave me to my surveying. His last comment as he wheeled away was "Oh.. I did not know." Architects are known by the general public as intellectuals who design buildings, homes and interiors. However, why is it without any knowledge of the profession's statistics is it known to be limiting to people of color? Is this due to societal influence? We all deserve to be at the table to showcase our talents. Post Links: Toby Morris Illustration http://digitalsynopsis.com/inspiration/privileged-kids-on-a-plate-pencilsword-toby-morris/ Why the Lack of Black Students Article http://archrecord.construction.com/features/Americas_Best_Architecture_Schools/2012/Architecture-Education-Now/Diversity.asp Entrepreneur Article "6 Actions You Can Take Every Day to Build Your Self-Confidence" http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/247353 Travel Channel Article "American's Melting Pot" http://www.travelchannel.com/interests/arts-and-culture/articles/nyc-americas-melting-pot The Directory of African American Architects http://blackarch.uc.edu/ Image courtesy of Pixabay.com
TRACY THOMAS
9/12/2015 08:16:47 am
"Oh I did not Know.." said your copatriate as he wheeled away...as blacks I believe we are taught to hold onto our real dreams and aspirations close to our breast where they'll be safe, and all our very own. That mindset is officially over. For our survival. Networking is where we lose out on sharing within our own community. Norma Merrick Sklarek, AIA (http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2012/02/first_black_female_architect_norma_merrick_sklarek_dead_at_85.html) was not even allowed to captain her own projects "...She did not design most of the huge projects she supervised, "not because she wasn't capable," but because when she started out in the 1950s, "it was unheard of to have an African-American female who was registered as an architect. You didn't trot that person out in front of your clients and say, 'This is the person designing your project.' ...Trot her out...my, my. Those were the grandfathers and fathers of the "Founding Fatherspf the Green Movement" unwilling to "trot black professionals out" in the Green Building Industry now and in the years since 1998. But more than willing to make money from her brain in her "absence". Black people should stop being surprised at all the unfairness directed at our brilliance. Stop acting out--having huge groups of us coming together....and then dancing and eating fried fish. What do these gatherings accomplish? The most basic need we have as humans is to have a structure to live in. Fredrick Douglass told a story once that a white man told him as he worked as a carpenter that blacks were not real humans because they couldn't even build a complete house to house themselves in. Today We are living in an era that is just ripe and bursting with possibilities for us to build and design and use natural resources to design and create our own structures. All the forefathers illicit greedy "western expansion tactics" have caught up with them and Mother Nature's frown has turned upside down..Green Building and Sustainable Processes are NOW being standardized...building materials are being made out of the most organic materials they can steal from "third world countries" .but instead of pushing the blacks out in front to appease God and turn him from his wrath (though they did have that claque of black preachers pray for rain in Sacremento the Calif capital in the 70's) the founding fathers grandchildren have clasped hands in tight monochromatic circles in institutions with newly formed divisions like: Harvard Sustainability Team/ Yale, Oregon, Seattle, Santa Cruz The International Living Future Institute....etc etc. check the sites. If you find a black face I will eat my expensive broad brimmed and feathered big church hat. Those are the "teams" that will command all facets of this emerging industry they have the resources...and once again we will be as scarce as hens teeth. A few filtered in for a liberal agenda, or for information --I was once asked at a Major Housing Developers division meeting -- "...just how many blacks live in Tustin California"..overawed at the question and maybe just a little glad to payback the pains I daily endured for my excellence I answered, 1,258,,,oh no 259...the woman taking notes to transfer our thinktank's revelations to the corporate office actually wrote it down. We will have to do what the old ones did. Come together and the conversation will have to be structured and strategized about what Blacks are going to do about the most heinous threat to the entire civilization. We have to do this soon. Most of the GreenBuilds and LFI Seminars and Ambassordships have registrations amd local hotels priced out of our means. This is a deliberate and purposeful attempt to keep "the riff raff out" Oh and I forgot to blog this point. Their forefathers actions in "manifest destinying" and overbuilding the western territories will culminate in flooding their grandchildren out of their entitled coastal gated communities. And in our life times. So now they are making concerted and strategic cleanups of the continent's inlands. "The term "Environmental Justice" is suddenly being used in TED talks. Ultimately it's called Gentrification. I've seen the map. There was only one of me so it was ok to let me see it. The efforts being made to clean up historically black and brown areas is unprecedented. They are not cleaning these areas so OUR lives can be more comfortable..there are long range plans, when Malibu is overcome by the tsunami, they'll have their Elysia's already planned and ready to be raised (after the razing) . But where will the displaced clean up crew be? [email protected] 10/7/2015 03:32:37 pm
Jared,
Jared Smith
10/7/2015 04:54:08 pm
I thank you for your comments and discussion Tracy. I sent an email response. Hope to connect again.
Jared Smith
10/7/2015 08:49:19 pm
Thank you very much for the kind words. Means a lot. I'm glad to inspire and encourage the next generation of architects! Comments are closed.
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