4 Years Later 2009 – Solutions for Rebuilding New Orleans : Black History, Architecture and Urban Culture

4 Years Later 2009 – Solutions for Rebuilding New Orleans : 

Addressing Americas Urban Crisis Challenge: Black History, Architecture and Urban Culture

And Solutions for Rebuilding New Orleans

By Joseph C. Edgecombe, Urban Scholar

Email: Black-History@live.com  

• Our National History – Summary
• Black Architecture Perspectives: Afro/African-American Culture (Urban Politics)
• Conclusion: The Challenge of Rebuilding New Orleans: The Social-Political and Economic challenge of creating the goal of Architectural Justice for all.

Our National History – Summary

In address of today’s urban and Architectural/socio-economic affairs I am convening/advocating a landmark summit to address social historical and architectural-economic and cultural (political) issues and problems we face as an aspiring modern society of free people striving for equality, justice, freedom and understanding which in many ways has not been granted.

All concerned should be interested and willing to participate in this post civil rights and post corporate diversity world we live in today we must conquer the problems that plague urban America the world and Africa  if we are to the leaders and the true architects of the future of society.

We must set the path for others to follow as leaders do, but we must not only lead but create the future M.L.K. had the will and audacity to have a new dream which, and Marcus Garvey  had the spirit of independence and along with Malcolm X and others of the previous Harlem Renaissance and the Black arts and literature movement set the tone for revolutionizing the 20^th century, which was accomplished but has not been recognized still by may, it’s as if Nelson Mandela was still in jail or the Emancipation proclamation was nothing but a letter to Uncle Sam the good old USA. But in consideration of Shirley Chisholm’s groundbreaking, courageous and unprecedented 1972 Campaign for the Presidency of the United States where she founded the change movement as a political-Architect of change – this is not old America or the good old USA this is a new century and millennium and America is a renewed country just as if we were to renew an old deteriorating building that was falling apart and was in severe need of architects to rebuild the infrastructure and remodel the building and save it from collapsing.

Let us come together and gather and become the new nation of achievers that revived old cities and communities and breathed new life into old politics of place and past generations and form the future because we have to function because if there is no function there is no form, we must be able to sculpt our future as African artist create afro-centric artwork and make great works of art out of stone and wood. We as the architects of the future must do the same, not for glorification but the attribution of the creative process which is to make something out of what many people disregard as nothing., in essence we must find the gems and domains that lay in the old mines of the urban environment and skillfully reengineer the hidden qualities of the potentiality of an Architectural Investigation urban problems and urban blight. To succeed is to accomplish step by step gaining momentum not all at once but in time building to a greater cause with every accomplishment. Our cause is our future and we must build it in the words of Malcolm X by any means necessary. We are the new Afro-nation and we must build together the we have lost much of our past but not our future “Sankofa” We can build a great society the great society many have fought for except this one stretches beyond borders and country lines and color lines.

We can begin at home but we must also address the potential of the New World Society, we are now One World technologically linked. We must make this our Architectural Mission.

Black Architecture: Urban Justice for Urban Communities (Urban Politics)

Dedicated Black architectural professionals have been unrecognized in the fight against discrimination and neglect by mainstream American society but have demonstrated an outstanding track record of accomplishments and have provided the cultural integrity and leadership necessary in a peaceful effort to guide society and the architectural profession in the right direction of urban justice for urban communities.

Acknowledging the disparity, gap and crisis in the field of architecture and the need to address the need for more access, education, exposure and the promotion of black architecture and the creative achievements of the field which benefit our world and urban communities. As concerned citizens concerned about our future we need to give

recognition and honor to our black architects and architectural professionals who serve society in many different ways and in uncompromising  and honorable fashion who are dedicated to building society for the betterment of our future. We must ensure that we are educated about the facts of the progressive black architectural culture in our cities and  communities where we all live and we must remember to recognize that they too are  the catalyst and leaders who facilitate and poses the knowledge and technology of creating the urban and architectural renaissance necessary to save our communities from urban plight and decay…all contributions weather large or small are all apart of building and designing a better and brighter future for the of our city and country.

Conclusion

The Challenge of Rebuilding New Orleans: The Social-Political and Economic challenge of creating the goal of Architectural Justice for all.

In the effort to rebuild a major city and cultural Mecca  from hurricane deviation and broken levees, and the experience of government breakdown or government dysfunction we have corralled numerous  professional organizations and associations, community cause oriented groups,  not-for–profit organizations,  local  and national leaders, talented artists, celebrities and the concerned public, volunteers and voluntary organizations, media journalist and interested traveling individuals who see the cause to contribute to concern the rebuilding efforts by whatever means possible, not to mention foundations and humanitarian organizations which also have a large impact in the rebuilding effort. 

The City of  New Orleans faces the challenge  of making progressive strives on limited funds which may not meet the programmed goals of many of the plans which have been created and constructed as the means of planning the agenda  and formula to regenerate and develop a new…New Orleans.

100 years after the civil War the country found itself fighting the battle for civil rights and human rights of many in the US South and also fighting against racism against black America as the country moved into the progressive era of the 70’s as the country tried to create a united message instead finding that the divide state of America had left black America behind, left-out and not included in the progressive business of growing a prosperous country.

Many victims of the Katrina Hurricane have felt left-out and left behind by the US government because of poor reaction and poor response technically and administratively., repeating in a sense the issues of the civil rights movement some 40 years later. Approximately 140+ years after the civil war in many ways the United States still finds itself not only divided but drastically divided.

Now the challenge of America in rebuilding New Orleans is also rebuilding confidence in our American government and American society.

Presidential candidates have campaigned on the platform of the rebuilding effort in New Orleans.

But beyond these facts the facts of African American history still stand true as our National History, and the challenge of rebuilding New Orleans is not only administrative or governmental but multi-organizational including our educational institutions. Now we see that constructing and creating and managing the redevelopment and rebuilding of NOLA is more the rebuilding from the catastrophe of a storm …but it has become a coordination challenge of Architectural promotions which are comprehensive in nature and multifaceted and challenging.

We as a people can now see that re-building   a city is more than just the construction of building plans or building a political agenda or philosophy passed down to the people from the government.  It is the demand and challenge to meet the architectural goals – not only political goals of bring people and society together to build a future together.

Shifting Corruption from Africa to America:

Shifting corruption from africa to america: Hillary clinton speaks out on political corruption in america while touring africa, Hillary clinton speaks out on american style corruption in american politics from the platform of her africa trip.

American political media is often quick to imply that that ther is corruption in africa in the general continent or within Africa’s various countries, implying that corrutiion and /or political corruption if a foriegn affair and not a national amaricam problem or topical issues of concern within america. Corruption is a major concern to much of the Black/african-american Community in the United States because it is directly related to the politics of the dominant/ruling class and racism, predudice and discrimination and racketeering which must be brought to an end in in america. Hillarry Clinton has stated a truth which the american media often denies or regards as anon-important issue in America, Hillary Clinton has now taken a stand on corruption in America, which reminds us all that the work, presidential campain agenda  and strong stand or  message of Shirley Chisholm has not been forgotten. This now broadens many the narrow-minded perspectives of many in the political-media and within various industries of the United States and perhaps will bring more address to the State of America today.

Link to Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HVs2nMa-6o

Hillary Clinton, still in Africa, compares Nigeria\’s rigged elections to Bush vs. Gore

The assasination of Americas most teachable historic moment & Henry Louis Gates v. Boston area politics

Recognizing & Eradicating Racism in Boston, JUNGLE FEVER 2009 – Gates v. Boston Area Politics, An Urban Drama, (Reflections on the 1991 teachable moment by Spike Lee).

The Mayor needs to open his eyes: Boston’s top Racist Institutions & Jungle Fever 2009 or Racism‏.

A Boston police officer suspended for calling Henry Louis Gates Jr. a “banana-eating jungle monkey” in an e-mail to the Boston Globe and the National Guard has filed a federal suit against the city, citing a violation of his  rights leading to mental ills.

The Mayor needs to open his eyes: beyond degrading or coming down on suspended/officer Justin Barret, In a city which has often been called racist, we should inquire or investigate as to what are Boston top racist institutions… The BAC – Boston Architectural Center/College is actualy the center of racism, and is the top racist institute in boston, and I hope the Boston Police Dept, & Cambridge Police department is not following closely in second and third  place. 

By the actions of officer Barret, it would seem the Boston police dept may be following the BAC in second place instead of the Cambridge police dept. but for sure the Boston Architectural Center needs to stop avoiding racial issues and stop building up a track record of unresolved racial issues.

The racial situation is a national architectural issue in the Country, but the BAC continues to sweep these issues under the red carpet, while having others walk on top of the red carpet.

That’s why the BAC is holding on to the #1 top spot as Boston’s most racist institution.

WHAT ARE BOSTON’S TOP  10 RACIST INSTITUTIONS – THE BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL CENTER??….What are the 9 other racist institutions?? The Boston Police?? The Cambridge Police Dept.?? or is the problem with City Leadership.

The Case of the Young Black Architects/students, as related to Racial Profiling, and the issues of Prof. Henry Louis, Gates Officer Crowley, our President Barack Obama and Justin Barrett and the Assasination of American History/Black American Political History.

In the city of Boston institutional racism is part of the culture at the Boston (anti) Architectural Center (BAC) and/or the so-called Boston Architectural College, where the address of diversity and racial issues are not emphasized and is ignored which is quit opposite to atmosphere in many other colleges that emphasize race and diversity. The BAC has a token Oreo-like black as president which they use as a power to continue to belittle, degrade and detour black students because the culture of racism, institutional racism and the acceptance of the deviant behavior racism that has not been addressed is covered up or swept under the rug and still exists at the school which has the careless way of turning black American dreams into nightmares which leads to economic poverty in America and the underdevelopment of our cities, neighborhoods and urban communities and the loss of the American Dream. At the BAC Negative- counter productivity trumps the productive good leading the school to now be in a failed state of existence. I hope that the Cambridge police department does not follow the policy of mis-leadership and misguidance of institutions like the Boston architectural center/college. But in order to resolve this situation in Boston/the Boston area (Cambridge), In a city which has often been called racist, we should inquire or investigate as to what are Boston top racist institutions… The BAC I believe is the top, and I hope the Cambridge Police department is not following closely in second place.

America need to learn from the past in order to move America ahead and Presidential Candidate - Shirley Chisholm the Political-Architect of our time – provided the country with this leadership  in her 1972 Presidential Campaign, we have to follow her lead not only the current Presidential trend or hype and therefore America should not cover-up the factors that helped change this country for the better. Professor/ Politician Shirley Chisholm, Educator & Political-Architect in her prolific Campaign gave us the most teachable moment in American history, let us not have american culture be turned into an uneducated cuture due to the problems of the American/Political Media Complex, Institutional Racism and the assasination of Americas most teachable historical moment - 1972.

Joseph Edgecombe, Boston

The Mayor of Boston needs to open his eyes: Boston’s Top 10 Racist Institutions & The Dilemma of Jungle Fever 2009 or Racism.‏

 Recognizing & Eradicating Racism in Boston, JUNGLE FEVER 2009 – Gates v. Boston Area Politics, An Urban Drama, (Reflections on the 1991 teachable moment by Spike Lee).

The Mayor needs to open his eyes: Boston’s top Racist Institutions & Jungle Fever 2009 or Racism‏

A Boston police officer suspended for calling Henry Louis Gates Jr. a “banana-eating jungle monkey” in an e-mail to the Boston Globe and the National Guard has filed a federal suit against the city, citing a violation of his  rights leading to mental ills.

The Mayor needs to open his eyes: beyond degrading or coming down on suspended/officer Justin Barret, In a city which has often been called racist, we should inquire or investigate as to what are Boston top racist institutions… The BAC – Boston Architectural Center/College is actualy the center of racism, and is the top racist institute in boston, and I hope the Boston Police Dept, & Cambridge Police department is not following closely in second and third  place.
 

By the actions of officer Barret, it would seem the Boston police dept may be following the BAC in second place instead of the Cambridge police dept. but for sure the Boston Architectural Center needs to stop avoiding racial issues and stop building up a track record of unresolved racial issues.

The racial situation is a national architectural issue in the Country, but the BAC continues to sweep these issues under the red carpet, while having others walk on top of the red carpet.

That’s why I say that the BAC is holding on to the #1 top spot as Boston’s most racist institution.

WHAT ARE BOSTON’S TOP  10 RACIST INSTITUTIONS – THE BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL CENTER??….What are the 9 other racist institutions?? The Boston Police?? The Cambridge Police Dept.?? or is the problem with City Leadership.

The Case of the Young Black Architects/students, as related to Racial Profiling, and the issues of Prof. Henry Louis, Gates Officer Crowley, our President Barack Obama and Justin Barrett and the Assasination of American History/Black American Political History.

In the city of Boston institutional racism is part of the culture at the Boston (anti) Architectural Center (BAC) and/or the so-called Boston Architectural College, where the address of diversity and racial issues are not emphasized and is ignored which is quit opposite to atmosphere in many other colleges that emphasize race and diversity. The BAC has a token Oreo-like black as president which they use as a power to continue to belittle, degrade and detour black students because the culture of racism, institutional racism and the acceptance of the deviant behavior racism that has not been addressed is covered up or swept under the rug and still exists at the school which has the careless way of turning black American dreams into nightmares which leads to economic poverty in America and the underdevelopment of our cities, neighborhoods and urban communities and the loss of the American Dream. At the BAC Negative- counter productivity trumps the productive good leading the school to now be in a failed state of existence. I hope that the Cambridge police department does not follow the policy of mis-leadership and misguidance of institutions like the Boston architectural center/college. But in order to resolve this situation in Boston/the Boston area (Cambridge), In a city which has often been called racist, we should inquire or investigate as to what are Boston top racist institutions… The BAC I believe is the top, and I hope the Cambridge Police department is not following closely in second place.

America need to learn from the past in order to move America ahead and Presidential Candidate - Shirley Chisholm the Political-Architect of our time – provided the country with this leadership  in her 1972 Presidential Campaign, we have to follow her lead not only the current Presidential trend or hype and therefore America should not cover-up the factors that helped change this country for the better. Professor/ Politician Shirley Chisholm, Educator & Political-Architect in her prolific Campaign gave us the most teachable moment in American history, let us not have american culture be turned into an uneducated cuture due to the problems of the American/Political Media Complex and Institutional Racism.

 Joseph Edgecombe, Boston

Racial Profiling & Institutional Racism/Oppression – Centers of Racism in Boston:

WHAT IS BOSTONS TOP RACIST INSTITUTION – THE BOSTON ARCHITECTIRAL CENTER??….What are the 9 other racist institutions?? The Boston Police?? The Cambridge Police Dept.?? or is the problem with City or Leadership.

Recognizing & Eradicating Racism in Boston, JUNGLE FEVER 2009 – Gates v. Boston Area Politics, An Urban Drama, (reflections on the 1991 teachable moment).

 The Case of the Young Black Architects/students, Racial Profiling, and the issues of Prof. Henry Louis, Gates Officer Crowley, our President Barack Obama and Justin Barrett.

LAWLESSNESS STILL THRIVES IN AMERICA: The trespassing Issue…

Officer Crowley in trespassing on Professor gates property and showed him no respect at all , its disgraceful conduct on the officer Crowley’s part and this lack of respect for the property and the standing of professor gates was a critical violation of civil rights, property rights human rights, and ethical conduct, a call was based on unconfirmed information does not give the police the right to disturb the peace and create havoc in a peaceful community. The officer had NO right to pursue the situation the way he did. The cane , the luggage, the slight limp that Mr. gates has and the age of Mr. gates would lead anyone with common sense to not pursue an arrest. Trespassing: is the crime of unlawfully entering another person’s property without permission or authority. Interfering with an owner or legal tenant’s use of their property, such as enclosing a portion of another’s land, also constitutes trespass. Trespass is usually a criminal misdemeanor, and is also a crime from which a victim may recover monetary damages. Let me set the facts strait. This whole situation is a case of JUNGLE FEVER the teachable moment was in 1991 but we have not learned from our past, therefore America is still making mistakes…Spike Lee may have failed to ensure that his movie sent the right message …not the message a black and white male/female relationships as “jungle fever”, but instead the more important issues of “surviving in the world of the urban/business jungle” or the hectic everyday social/business and work world which has a host of race and class issues connected to advancing, being accepted or being denied for what we all work (hard) for which are successful careers without the tragedy of having you career or your name/reputation torn apart because… it’s a jungle out there!, and during intense times or delicate situations we all are susceptible or may come down with a case of “Jungle Fever” overacting, displaying rudeness, spite or bigotry etc., when it is uncalled for. Jungle Fever is “different” than….racism which some call showing your “true colors” (true personality) which often means a person with a racist personality or actions/racist. Jungle Fever (an aggressive uncalled for attitude and/or destructive action) may not be racism but it is a very serious problem in America. If Jungle Fever is not addressed, swept under the rug or glossed over as non-racial acts, when dealing with racial satiations Jungle fever could easily turn into racism or institutionalized racism which is the act of covering up or denying racial situations, race history or racial issues… especially when there are facts and studies regarding other related racial situations, incidents or cases. The Henry Louis gates case is a classic prime example of both the race and class issues of black Americans striving to live the American dream and having their dreams turned into nightmares because of institutional racism and / or the acceptance of covert, subtle or indirect racism in America, another good general example is the experience of black architects. In the movie jungle fever Wesley Snipes played the role of a token black architect in a white (only) architectural firm. After years of helping the company grow from a small company to a large company which hired large groups of white people Wesley snipes was refused promotion to become a partner with the company, as well snipes advocated for more people of color to be hired…but to no avail. Soon after… (while in a white social setting)… a call was made to the police about a possible disturbance, Wesley Snipes (Architect/successful urban (Black/minority) professional) was nearly shot in the head by white police officers who did not take the time to assess the situation in the proper manner. Racial profiling does not only take place in the streets, but also in our businesses, educational institutions and other organizations in America and the city of Boston is often labeled as the most racist city in America, although not outright as in the Cambridge police situation, somehow racism still seems to survive and live within the daily operations of modern times By the actions of officer Barret, it would seem the Boston police dept may be following the BAC in second place instead of the Cambridge police dept. but for sure the so-called Boston Architectural College/center needs to stop avoiding and ignoring racial issues and stop building up a track record of unresolved racial issues, The racial situation is a national architectural issue in the Country, but the BAC continues to sweep these issues under the red carpet, while having others walk on top of the red carpet. That’s why the BAC is holding on to the #1 top spot as Boston’s most racist institution.

Joseph Edgecombe (overview)

There are both race and class issues Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever and the Henry Louis Gates Incident & Racial Profiling

There are both race and class issues here in the gates case – the situation is a perfect example of the black situation an America – of black American professionals both older and younger… trying to live the American dream but constantly have their dreams turned into nightmares via institutional Racism and / or the acceptance of deviant (American freedoms) behavior by establishment types or what is sometimes called white establishments, people or (old boy) club/networks. In 1991 Wesley Snipes played the (generally true) role of an aspiring black architect at a white only architectural firm who did not want to promote Wesley snipes to partner after he spent years helping the company grow, they hired more large populations of white people and continued to use Wesley Snipes as a token black employee. After Snipes huge effort for advocating the hiring of more people of color were denied over time and seeing the covert, subtle, or indirect racism discrimination and prejudice that was the accepted culture of the company as well as After arguing (in a very upset manner), that he was the one that was responsible for the generation of growth of the company (because of the designs that he generated), and that the company will miss him as an important factor(in meetings/Presentations) his actions were belittled therefore-Wesley snipes decided to quit, soon after… while in a white social setting… a call was made to the police about a possible disturbance, Wesley Snipes was nearly shot in the head by white police officers who did not take the time to assess the situation in the proper manner. Americans need to learn from the past in order to move America ahead and presidential candidate Shirley Chisholm provided the country with this leadership we have to follow her lead not only the current trend or hype and not cover-up the factors that helped change this country for the better.

 

In the city of Boston institutional racism is part of the culture at the Boston (anti) Architectural Center (BAC) and/or the so-called Boston Architectural College, where the address of diversity and racial issues are not emphasized and is ignored which is quit opposite to atmosphere in many other colleges that emphasize race and diversity. The BAC has a token Oreo-like black as president which they use as a power to continue to belittle, degrade and detour black students because the culture of racism, institutional racism and the acceptance of the deviant behavior racism that has not been addressed is covered up or swept under the rug and still exists at the school which has the careless way of turning black American dreams into nightmares which leads to economic poverty in America and the underdevelopment of our cities, neighborhoods and urban communities and the loss of the American Dream. At the BAC Negative- counter productivity trumps the productive good leading the school to now be in a failed state of existence. I hope that the Cambridge police department does not follow the policy of mis-leadership and misguidance of institutions like the Boston architectural center/college. But in order to resolve this situation in Boston/the Boston area (Cambridge), In a city which has often been called racist, we should inquire or investigate as to what are Boston top racist institutions… The BAC I believe is the top, and I hope the Cambridge Police department is not following closely in second place.

The only thing that saved Wesley Snipes -Architect (of dreams) was a white woman (girlfriend). It would seem that if Henry Louis Gates had a white woman or another white person there to save him he may not have been degraded and arrested.

Joseph Edgecombe