The Crisis of the African-American Architect : Conflicting Cultures of Architecture and (Black) Power

Rating:
Summary: 3 books in one
Review: There are three stories here, coherently and pleasanatly - if autobiographicaly - offered. A personal and overall history of architecture education for African-Americans; a Washington, D.C. history of African-American architects from post-war to the 80's; and some personal and thought provoking ideas about what might/should be the education of African-American architects today. Interestingly, much of what is said can be applied to a much broader audience in that the African-American experience and the changes in the education of the architect are not too different than what one might observe and propose for all architects - mainly, that the education of the architect must prepare them to move up the food chain so they are not the last professional hired when buildings are about to happen. In addition, there is a strong recommendation that African-American architects begin to serve the African-American community.
This is an intersting read for a somewhat narrow audience - mainly architecture educators and those at the HBCU's, but well worth the time.