Critical Architectural Affairs:
NOMA- National Organization of Minority Architects
Annual Conference - Building Bridges
October 28-30 2004 New York
ANNOUNCEMENT: Aug. 2004
THE GREATEST !
World (net) VOTE Results- Aug. 2004:
The top "100 Greatest Africans of all time"
to open August 23, 2004
6/20/03 (weekend visit)
OVERVIEW: Urgent Issues/Calling
Min. Louis Farrakhan of The Nation of Islam visits Boston and gives message
to the Black community about National/stratigic goals:
Emphisis of the address: The Issues of the progress of Black America.
Trust, Justice and the Sovernty of the Black Community.
Problems of the American System/Creation of justice for all Americans.
Seperation from the American system(?).
Family commitment to being a real man.
Enforcing the black agenda for social, economic and educational deveopment and the problems of white American Institutions.
Making no comprimise if demands of freedom justice and equality are not met.
Solutions to the issues of violence in the Black AA Community.
The loss of generational Development and advancement of the Afro/African American community due to the problems
of the American System.
The serious critical decisions which are facing the black community regarding international issues and the war on terrorism.
The value of the black community to Americas agenda.
The possible upcomming draft.
US Poputation Statistics Black, White, Spanish etc.
Policy and environmental issues.
ANNOUNCEMENT: National Address 6/16/04,
Architecture = Cultural Construction & Critical Renniassance History of Society
THE NEW NATIONAL ARCHITECTURAL AGENDA &
RENNIASSANCE
FACTS Communications and Design/R&D Exchange-Association/Center
Boston, MA
The Illusion of Separatism Violations of
Architectural
Laws of Society and Place
Breaking the matrix of systemic environmental and architectural
racism
Afro-American Architects Of the Future and the Future of
America
(USA/AOF).
The Formation and Function of America
The New Calling
Critical Architecture/Cultural Construction
in Critical Times
New
Millennium Culture, Post 9/11 -war on terrorism
and the US Presidential Campaign 2004 must
have critical solutions.
5/24/04
Race, Space and Reality of the United
States of America:
This is a letter from the USA/AOF Campaign of The F.A.C.T.S.-
FactsXchange Association located on the web at www.factxchange.com.
There is a New Revolution happening and it’s going
cross-country and cross continent(s). It is the black/architectural afro-centric /afro-African American Revolution it’s
calling for the renaming of important organizations institutions and socio-economic entities.
The revolution is Interdisciplinary in meaning - it cross business, social, racial, economic and political lines and history
of the past present and future.
In this effort to design the future we must be the architects
of the future, we must embrace the future history as we do the past – this could be categorized as The Birth of a New
Nation.
We are facing critical times. The controversies of international
(terrorist) affairs and post 9/11 issues are facing the country at this
time (but we have faced terrorism before, historically in the past-as a people we still do in many other ways. but here we
find a synonym of history and it is architecture – The root word between history and American civilization/Afro-American
history and architectural history (national Planning and development). In the word architecture we find a word that is synonymous
with progressive change and development, creativity artistic expression and the struggle to build/change from the past for
a better future for your people and everyone. So in essence in architecture we find Black History.
Architecture is the knowledge of creating
and culturally building various communities and an adjective synonymous with Black Afro-American Creativity, Culture, Struggle
Ingenuity and Innovation it is also a Revolutionary term meaning to be the father
of ones future. The roots of architecture are in the necessities and the demands of society to move forward progressively,
creatively, pluralistically and comprehensively. Culturally speaking architecture is the way to free oneself (to creatively
and strategically plan) from past or present hindrances or obstacles and regressive/oppressive situations in order to build
construct, design but mostly to culturally create a better future for all- by any means necessary.
During the late 18th century Benjamin
Banneker accomplished the planning of our Capital Washington D.C.
as we turned from the 18th to the 19th Century, by recreating and co-planning the survey layout of the
capitals master plan in 1790.
During the 19th century Harriet
Tubman and others/conductors-facilitators of the underground rail-road necessarily accomplished (resort fully) with
their activities and participation in the strategic construction facilitation and development of the Underground Railroad,
along with Fredric Douglass’s Abolitionist and social-political advocacy to abolish slavery with others
in Black History (and other of the anti-slavery movement such as Abe Lincoln and William Lloyd Garrison).
During the early 20th century there
were various social and economic movement towards meeting the demand of the new (post) industrial age and environment of the
early 20th century (modern-invention era/age) toward creating a renaissance of black culture and creativity which
would become a major progressive part of the economy, along with this progressive movement scholars such as Booker T.
Washington and W.E.B. Dubious debated the issues of this progressive time and renaissance in black history, also advocates
such as Marcus Garvey preached self-pride and self empowerment along with the writers and poets of The
Harlem Renaissance. Therefore, socially and economically and politically during this time we could see and experience
that architecturally and/or culturally a progressive renaissance was happening in
Black afro-African American history- this is our foundation of cultural construction.
The architectural links of black history
is proof and evidence that Architecture is the necessary cultural construction and solutions pioneering of the demands
and needs of the country and its communities which is to the contrary of popular belief of only building design and construction,
because if there is no architectural or comprehensive form to society there is no function or reason or purpose to build a
society- the civil rights movement is evidence of this.
The cultural construction of black/afro-African American
history is not only in the past but in the present and the future, Architecture is the systemic solution and the strategic
key of our current freedoms and in planning and development of future nations – it is the mortar or glue and language
that keeps us together as a community of progressive constructive and creative people.
So we as a people should and must rise-up to the occasion,
to keep hope alive and keep the dream alive, we must rise up high as a high rise skyscraper, such as the twin towers of the
world trade center in New York and not be destroyed by an oppressive history,
we must rebuild as Nations do.
Architecture is the knowledge of constructing the
future of society far beyond just buildings of commercial capitalism of one race or society on another and monetary goals
of glorification, but conversely it’s building cause/concern, justice, reason and just/equitable solutions for all -
as the times of history and theory of society evolve.
Architecture is the balance and the foundation on
which society is based and also the father of the next generation as Africa is the Mother/Motherland
of afro-centric history, Architecture is the father of our future history. It is where the past meets the future and
the conflicts of political and socio-economic affairs of race, culture and reality connect but also Architecture is a matrix
of ides and solutions for freedom, justice, growth, creativity and culturally constructive prosperity are designed.
In essence as a link and connection to Black-Afro/African
–American History and culture Kwanzaa (celebration) is architecture- culturally speaking a cultural celebration of architectural/cultural
development, culture and history. So I would say to help us escape the matrix of past oppression and suppression as a world
people I would say we celebrate this revolution of evolutionary and progressive development in history.
The revolution has already begun we should all be part of it and part
of architectural history, it would be fitting with the dreams of so many of the hero’s of African - American history.
The Facts: Our new history is architectural one – that means it
is for all, which is the cultural goal in this new millennium and Afro-Architectural Age.
FACT: Kwanzaa is an Afro-Architectural Celebration- and the roots are
as I define the facts are in architectural theory and philosophy and history.
FACT: Kwanzaa is an Afro-Architectural Celebration- and the roots are
as I define the facts are in architectural theory and philosophy and history.
Architecture is the mainstream form of Kwanzaa specifically cultural construction
which is the community driven architectural goal.
Question:
Why do we celebrate Kwanzaa? In order to recognize our past and be or become
the architects and have a vision of our future and our lives, something that we as afro-Americans were deprived of during
the height of slavery.
Architecture embodies the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
Umoja - Unity:
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race
Kujichagulia - Self Determination:
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves
Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility:
To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and
sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together.
Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics:
To Build and maintain stores, shops and other businesses and profit from them
together.
Nia – Purpose:
To make our collective vocation the building and the developing of our community
in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Kuumba – Creativity:
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in the way we can in order
to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Imani – Faith:
To believe with all our hearts in our people, parents, teachers, our leaders
and the righteous struggle and victory of our struggle.
Joseph Edgecombe F.A.C.T.S-Xchange Association
FACTS Communications and Design/R&D Exchange-Association/Center
www.factxchange.com
Contact Info:
e-mail: x.nation.com@factxchange.com or x.nation.com@earthlink.net
Facts Associates email: factsassociates@factsxchange.com
Ph. #1: 617-905-921 Ph. #2: 617-822-7580
ANNOUNCEMENT: 4/9/04
Letter to the Editor & Editors Mortimer B Zuckerman, Brian
Duffy/Brian Kelly & Sara Sklaroff
Topic/Issues: 50 years after Brown; UNEQUAL EDUCATION
U.S.
News Writers/Staff - Julian Barns, Justin Ewers, Jay Tolson
Making History
Chain Reaction
Closing the Gap
The Power of the Moment
4/9/04
Proposed Editorial Commentary
THE EQUALIZER
Americas missing
revolutionary factor
The
missing factor of America” a historical problem
America
and Education, Business and Economics a Matrix that is missing the most important Factor
My complement to you for
your exclusive report and comprehensive coverage of this important anniversary of desegregation issues as well as making a
cover story of the issue even in the consideration of the tragedy of the events in Spain.
A 50-year cover anniversary issue is well justified, and because of the landmark in time that was set during that period of
educational and civil rights controversy.
The issues covered are very comprehensive and range from desegregation and
discrimination to white flight and the decline of urban neighborhoods as well as the controversial issue of reverse discrimination
issues.
We can learn from the abolitionists/antislavery-freedom
movements, Harlem renaissance era, the UNIA and black power movements, the civil rights/freedom movement – the underlying
message- let’s create our future and be constructive not destructive.
Modern day achievement
issues and unequal education as reported are lingering topics, but there are other important issues UNCOVERED.
Most important are the
transition from college or high school education to the traditional white-collar fields such as Law, Medicine, Corporate Business
/ Finance and perhaps Engineering of which there has been some coverage from various media and/or magazine /periodicals.
The media has neglected this urgent topic I am notifying
you of, which is uncovered historically, and for the past century of modernism and cultural conflict or the civil rights movement
era. The Profession is an area of education that takes many years of education dedication and academic and professional commitment.
If one thinks of education and the professions- what are they and where are the Afro/African-Americans and other Urban American
minorities? How effective is the career professions/professionals to the development of the urban community, city, state and
country in which they live? Additionally are white-collar professions basically Law, Justice, Politics, and higher education,
and doctoral/medicine? Are these professionals looking for self serving payoffs for attending and graduating from a good or
known school/college or university, Thus giving a disservice to the commitment to the country and community in which they
live?
These are the questions
of our society and how we decide to live work and deal with the creation of the next generation/ of the future of our society,
as well as tackling the long standing issues of poverty and urban/economical injustice and decline – which the US seems
to be trapped in some type of economical jeopardy and has turned to outsourcing as the only alternative – to creative
local and national commerce development.
The industry and unique
educational experience which one may think of as white-collar having a low % percentage of Black/Afro-American / Minority-American
participation, as in the legal/justice Law, Justice, Politics, and higher education, and doctoral/medicine profession or fields.
No, this is not the field that I am focusing on, but what needs to be exposed and focused on is in another professional field,
you may think of the engineering profession, well engineering is a very diverse field and there are many different types of
engineers with many people from different backgrounds. The endangered Industry that the U.S.
believes is the most important to the history and development of the United States
and is the industry that is used as the most important or leading economic indicator – it is the construction industry/profession.
During slavery in the in
the south Plantation houses and grand residences were the products of construction that was oppressing to the general development
of African-American society and in the north and central states industrial and corporate developments dominated the construction
industry especially during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Most
important industry and educational trap which America still has to overcome and change from a blatant oppressive behavioral
pattern is not only the construction industry for blue and white collar professionals, which is often view as a racketeering
or bad business. The industry which has been around for many centuries and is in the same theme as the construction industry–
where many issues arise, preferential contracts, racketeering and lucrative bad business deals, of racism or prejudice. With Americas rise
in the address of white collar or corporate business crimes - one would wonder why an industry responsible or related to the
construction industry, the most economically and historically important in the United States
and the world has been neglected from media coverage. Additionally on many media,
business and cultural issues the country has faced before and after the declaration of independence, the constitution and
the civil war, the industrial and modern movements of the 19th and 20th centuries. The industry I am
informing you about is the industry that has made America what it aspires to be – the mis-constructed problem plagued
America or what could be called “Problemerica” (problem plagued America) today ,as well as yesterday &
historically, this industry will also make the country what it will be tomorrow, The industry has a very negative record educationally
and professionally with Black/Afro-Americans especially and has hindered and mis-constructed the Nation and urban communities
of America since slavery.
I will now let you
know what this industry is, it is the Architecture Industry which is also known as (A.K.A.) the Design Profession/Industry.
What I’m informing you about is that Americas (so-called) architects (& Arch. educators) have retreated from their
obligations (as a professional community) to address social and economical issues which need to be addressed and they are
also issues which have faced America and urban America, and placed the country into a state of plight since its founding.
This deviation from cultural construction and assimilation with the Afro- American Agenda has lead to the urban decline of
America, America
may have shallow-minded Architects/Designers but they are not competent or comprehensive Architects.
The country is suffering
from a lack of architectural justice and leadership – which in essence means cultural educational and professional
freedom to achieve and be the best you can be. Comprehensively and sub-sequentially by excluding and opposing the promotion
and development of Black/Afro-Americans- Architecturally the country is not only in urban decline but also in a cultural decline
– unless Americas predominate American architects learn not only to Design like an immature over-promoted child would
an imaginary picture or drawing, but to create and as a responsible adult – responsible for country and brotherhood
of man (not irresponsibly for self serving glorification and irresponsible uselessness to society). We cannot expect America
to grow out of it’s racist and prejudiced past educationally and professionally, but does Afro/African America has to
bare most-all the responsibility for the just and equal development of the country? It can and will only happen or be that
way, perhaps with a few joining partners as it was during the abolitionist and anti-slavery movements of the 19th
century and the rise of the 50’s/60’s civil rights movement during the 20th century. This will
be repeated again in the 21st century, Afro-America is far to creative to be suppressed and oppressed systemically-Architecturally
as a nation (Architectural Oppression). The architecture industry has failed America
as a nation, but as always Afro-America takes up the slack (for much of mainstream America)
and remains vigilant to the end - we keep hope alive, we will not be turned around and we keep America
in good standing internationally.
The U.S. / America still
has a future and black-Afro/African American architects, who face an uphill battle educationally, monetarily and professionally
in a very lucrative business field where Caucasian/Anglo-Americans and foreigner (who
can barley speak English) nationalities are given preferential treatment, subtracting from and neglecting the cause of America
as a country, and the natural talent and resources of Afro-America which effects our economy, urban communities and urban
centers. An answer this is a new revolution to revive America culturally and at times it seems it can only be accomplished
by Afro-America who remain defiant to oppression and vigilant for the future of this country “America”. As
a creative people and culture we can create the future architecturally instead of non-architecturally, a new form of America
– a new unrecognized form of architecture –a new form of a nation.
As it is said in the architecture
industry form follows fiasco (contrarily form follows function) the country is in somewhat of a fiasco at this time, economically
politically and educationally – Afro-America can form the future, this is the New Revolution. This is the educational
achievement you are looking for. This is the new architectural development
of the nation, the new form of nation building and the new revolution. A new architectural culture with roots in revolutionary
black history.
As one popular saying goes the revolution (in black/Afro-America)
will not be televised, and it has not been, but it is s fact and will be the fact of the
future.
Joseph Edgecombe, F.A.C.T.S. Assoc. / R Gen.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Historical Affairs and Institutions 1/2004
The Institution of Afro-America
1/2004
I Joseph Edgecombe herby declare the Afro-American National Community an
institution within a greater institution called America, the United States of North America. As an institution of Afro-American
people we need reality and to establish the organization, business and educational institutions which carry our cultural traditions,
the freedom of educational opportunity. Freedom (of good will) and independence are most important. John D. Obryant served
as the pioneer of this type of ideology by his career with the City of Boston’s school committee. During the trying
times of the 70’s paving the way for the 80’s when we as a people needed a foundation to build upon educationally,
John D. O’bryant provided this Foundation for the residence of the City of Boston. He further graduated in his efforts
by establishing a career in Higher Education also at Northeastern University.
Four Decades ago a man named Martin Luther King, had a dream just as many
young high school students have today, But I must state that they are not only dreaming, they live strive and study to attain
their goals and make their dreams a reality. The JDOAAI recognizes the valor and efforts of these individuals and also strives
to make realities out of dreams and hopes, as Rev. Jesse Jackson would say “keep hope alive”
What we have here is the hope and aspirations of Afro-America the institutional
nation of Afro-Americans and in order to recognize the declaration of reality which students participate in their daily tasks
as young professionals and students in this institution of America. If America does not recognize the cultural institution
within it – it cannot be seen as an institution of a democratic republic, which it has based itself upon since 1776.
The dreams and hopes of the country have been made by the founding fathers during the 18th century, The abolitionist
and anti-slavery activists and facilitators of the underground railroad of the 19th century, the citizens of the
civil war and other wars as part of the what I call “the architectural dream (of America)”. The artist, writers,
poets and activists of the Harlem renaissance era of the 1920’s. The formation and activities of the NAACP and the leaders
of the civil rights movement and desegregation of the 60’s/70’s and the afro-American pioneers of corporate America
of the 1980’s “the age of Afro-American construction”, which was the time of the birth of black America
as a progressive force in business and industry constructing the future.
This brings us to today (the turn of the century), where we afro-Americans
are still protesting for common sense values in order not to create a cultural catastrophe as America has done regarding Native
Americans and in many other cases Afro-African Americans. We need to emphasize the construction of the future by land marking
what is most important to us as a people, country and institutional entity. By constructing and creating better western values,
we can make hopes and dreams into realities by being the architects of our future.
The reality of the question that institutional Racism brought forward a protest
and sit-in on the NU campus by the JDOAAI students – created a landmark in time – because of the overwhelming
threat of corporate institutional oppression and the threat of demolition of a sacred jewel called the JDOAAI.
The intellectual fight or battle for its independence was waged between the
student advisory committees and NU administrative master planning, the students and the institute were the victors and the
JDOAAI survived the threat of the loss of its existence or plight as in independent institutional building. The pro-landmark
community leaders, NU Alumni, students, concerned activists, and faculty signed a circulated petition to declare the building
a landmark during 2001, to support this effort we formally recognize this achievement, which was generated by my own initiative
of the FACTS Association thus I therefore take on the duty to formally have the institute recognized as a landmark building
(as published by leading news media at the time) and as documented by the MHC from the FACTS/Association. The reason is clear
the institute is a historic center for Afro-American community culture which is very unique or distinctive it has maintained
its Independence due to the efforts of Justin Brown and other student leaders /committee members as America did some 228 years
ago in a war for its own independence. Land marked by the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 by which a tower
is to be built (in its cause) at this time in New York. African Americans have met the challenge of independence and are also
rebuilding an institution which was planned for demolition, it goes by the name of the JDOAAI and it’s the center and
landmark for freedom, independence and cultural growth for Afro/African Americans/NU students (and Boston’s AA community).
This is not a dream but a reality, let us not have mainstream corporate,
governmental and institutional America create unfulfilled dreams out of realities by neglecting and denying to recognize the
realities and the facts of black/Afro-America.
America is still be a dream if it does not or cannot live up to the reasons
for or upon which it was founded and formed some 200+ years ago or until it can prove itself as an institutional reality and
the meet or match educational and cultural realities of The John D. O’bryant African-American Institute and Independence
Center (The Center for Independence).
Therefore, by this request, grant The JDOAAI the Landmark status it deserves.
Joseph-Victor / Edgecombe
The Revolutionary F.A.C.T.S. –
Documentary Architectural Leadership /Educational Association
Landmark Status Statement
Afro-American Institutions, the prodigy
of Africa as America is the prodigy of the Western Civ. /Europe, UK/Britain-England
1/19/04
A Magnet of Assembly and Convergence:
The JDOAAI is panned to be demolished.
The romantic era of American Architecture Art Deco/Art Moderne has created a connection between the building and the students
/ concern for the longevity of the building.
The demolition of the institute
represents the demolition of African American history and studies, because the institute stood for the preservation of Afro/African-American
history in essence the lives and causes of the victims of slavery and oppression have been kept alive though the scholarship,
vigilance, determination and educational goals and initiatives of the JDOAAI. By destroying or demolishing the JDOAAI Building
at 40 Leon Street one would be destroying the lives of those who lead the abolitionist/anti-slavery movements against slavery
and the reconstruction efforts to recreate America as a fair and free country leading us into a new world of freedom.
Just as the fall of the WTC World
trade Center in New York city happened and the dreams of many of the victims and America had disappeared into the dust of
the aftermath of the WTC disaster, so does Afro/African American history disappear into the dust with the aftermath of the
demolition of the JDOAAI/40 Leon Street Building.
To keep history alive we must landmark
the time that history lived at the quaint/Art Deco building at 40 Leon Street–The JDIAAI formerly The Afro-American
Institute.
We will rebuild just as the world
trade center is being rebuilt, but in this case we are making a landmark of the history of afro-American black pride
and independence (in Boston and in America). For many Boston is or represents
the Athens of America of European heritage or prodigy, but for Boston’s Afro/African American community 40 Leon street
represents the epiphany and dream of Black-Afro/African American History creating and embracing the juxtaposition of African
heritage and the prodigy of Africa in Boston.
Historically and architecturally the conservative Art Deco/Moderne style
of the institute building is reminiscent is the early temple styles of Egypt / Africa and has created a bond with the students,
as a retreat or temple which facilitates the creation of knowledge. The Arte Deco/
Moderne style/motif could also be seen as modern temple style architecture. The vertical style emphasis of the pilasters separating
the bays around the building (w/the columns on the interior) along with the other details is emphasizes the reminiscence of
the early temples of Egyptian Africa of the B.C. era of architecture which predates the temples of Athens Greece and Roman
Temples of Italy and Europe.
This unique relationship Between
Egyptian Africa needs to be documented and Land-marked, the vigilance of the students/committees and Afro-American community
helped discover this valuable link to cross-continental history / architectural history and cultural history, for these reasons
and many more the JDOAAI at 40 Leon Street more than merits land mark status it merits World History.
Joseph Edgecombe, Documentary Architectural
Justice/Historian
F.A.C.T.S. Association/ www.FactXchange.com (problem solving solutions)
The Revolutionary F.A.C.T.S. /Association
ANNOUNCEMENT 1/12/2004:
The New Name for the WTC Tower
1/12/2004
The Star Tower
(a reminder of my recommendation)
The alternative to the Freedom Tower
From: F.A.C.T.S. Communications & Design R&D, Boston
MA
The FactXcange: web site, www.factxchange.com
Attn: Governor, Pataki
Kevin Rampe LMDC
Christopher E. Glaisek, Andrew Winters -Planning, Design & Development
LMDC
David Dunlap New York Times, Herbert Muschamp,
New York Times
Mayor Bloomberg, Governor, Pataki
New York Post & To all concerned
cc: Tourism Bureau
The Star Tower
A site appropriate name not only for and the
country but for the city of New York
As outlined in my design
proposal letter and design, I believe the design needs to emphasize my 7+7=14 Points of design and development.
I further emphasize that
the design needs to emphasize and represent all of America.
Many New
York residents and others still believe that the site be used totally as a memorial or be designated
as sacred ground.
What I am stating is about
The Freedom Tower being a statement about the birth of the Country of America from the British /American colonies to the United
States of America.
18th Century America:
The First Generation Anglo-American freedom/Slavery and Oppression in America
The American Revolution/War
of Independence resulting in the 1776 Declaration of Independence. At this point
and time in history America was not a free country for all, but only for some, it was not until nearly 100years later with
the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 during the Civil War between the North and the South that the so-called Afro/African-American
slaves were declared free by the Emancipation Proclamation.
Therefore, in 1776 America was a slave labor based country of the 18th century (free from Briton but
the Negro/labor population was still slaves).
19th Century America: The divided states/Afro-American Self Determination Evolves
The Second Generation of
Freedom/Segregation and Non-Inclusion
The next American period
of generation freedom would be representing the 19th century of freedom, although the African segregation American
population were not completely free especially in the south were afro’s were subjected to Jim Crow laws of segregation
and separation and other abuses of slavery in the South. In the North much of the freedom failed Afro-America because of stereotyping
and degradation as a type of second-class citizen. Abolitionist and anti-slavery movements were need and active to stop the
predominance of slavery and slave laws.
The Early-Mid 20th Century/ The Dawn of Black Pride
In essence the full freedom
of Afro-America did not arrive until the later half of the 20th century with the civil rights movement and the
black power movement of the post Harlem/Renaissance 1960’s (1930’s-1960’s). Other movements such as the
UNIA of the teens and 1920’s, the renaissance era of Harlem and black America, the formation and activities of the NAACP
and the scholarly activities, publications and debates of the first half of the 20th century. During the 60’s
Rosa Parks demonstrated the people of color did not have the freedom to sit where they wanted to on
the bus when going to and from work.
Modern (Industry) times/Breaking
out of oppression and segregation for a peak at Freedom
Afro- Americans as a whole
did not here the ring of freedom until the Modern times of the 1960’s or the late second half of the 20th
century during the 70’s were Afro/African-Americans emphasized “I am Somebody”, because they were being
treated in the opposite manner by the mainstream population.
The late 20th Century/ Corporate America
The dawn of the hustle
and bustle 80’s was the age of tokenism of the 70/80’s era, where having a so-called spot of Afro-American person
was fashionable as corporate America embraces a limited sprinkling of afro/African Americans as accepted into ambitious workplaces
as a statement of non-racism of political correctness in dealing with the issues of black America. The answer to this type
of racism was affirmative action, which benefited in the end mostly white women. Again we that black/afro- America
has not benefited from the benefits of freedom but in many ways suffered the consequences of its product.
Many groups Have abused
their freedoms as well, from the terrorist groups as the KKK (Ku Klux Klan) of
the (past) south and the predominately Caucasian/white old-boy networks-racket groups of the North which dominated the 70’s
/80’s.
The 1990’s/New Millennium & The 21st Century – Better late than never.
With America constantly
falling into economic disaster of ups and downs America attempts to remedy this situation and promote or diversify the workforce
professionally and educationally by accepting Afro-Americans/minorities of color as a whole as part of the productive economy.
These are some of the first steps to diversify the college and professional workplace Environment. By giving cultural background
more validity as part of a nation of people with different ethnic backgrounds are accepted into the mainstream of the American
system of development and nation hood.
Corporate Crime / finally the address of white collar crime and the 21st. century
In essence it was not until
a case of corporate crime at the turn into the 21st century that America
attempted to patrol or be comprehensive/Caucasians of or address itself as a nation. Until the Enron case African Americans
at that time began to feel that the freedom of the country was to benefit all.
This brings us to the remaining
problems of the 21st century The Architectural Profession.
Which is a white and foreigner
dominated profession; old boy network based profession and has been for a very long time. This relates to bad business tactics
such as racketeering and so-forth. So architecturally America
has not embraced it’s Afro-American population, which represents a problem for the future of America.
The lesson which America still has to learn is how to expose
its African –American population in business /arts (architecture, urban design etc) and promote not demote, degrade
and ostracize or cast-out the skills and talents of its African American population.
In Conclusion,
America
is in a state of architectural crisis as a nation that the county has growing problems as many do during their youth and even
after that into adulthood. The African American population is suffering from the dominant powers of oppression in the architectural
profession from Caucasian/white –Americans and foreigner population
from other countries. In other words America is not fostering
a productive culture for the future of the country, this could be seen as separatist –originating out of the architectural
profession. Although being of the most artistically creative people (performing arts /acting, literature, arts, poetry, music)
in the world and in America the Architecture /Industry still
chooses to work against the grain of the creativity of black/Afro-America. Afro/African Americans in the architectural profession
are not feeling the Freedom of America. Instead the feeling is the opposite- the struggle or juxtaposition of Afro-
America as it came out of the slavery era of the mid19th century of some
150-200 years ago.
But yet there is a still
a freedom tower being built that is supposed to represent America’s
independence and history.
As a nation America
has abused much of its freedoms in history, can the few make up for the many?
The Freedom Tower may not be the best name for the tower.
A more appropriate name
could be or would be the STAR TOWER This relates to New
York as the entertainment center of the country and to the stars of the American Flag which represent
the hopes of all of the united states and the hopes which
our own night skies bring us as a nation represented by the American Flag. We all have the freedom to dream an we can all
dream of being a star-even when the victims of slavery were not free or more currently when discrimination and segregation
stopped or hindered Afro-Americans from attaining the goal of the American dream of stardom.
Afro-Americans participation
in the arts and entertainment industry, is something that all America
has benefited from.
Currently speaking stars make America shine although freedom has not given Afro-America a fair handshake, Afro-Americans
in many ways are the stars of America and America is the land where you can become a star if you try (hard enough)
The flag of the original
thirteen US colonies were also represented by stars which
all stood out so independently. So let us not politicize the tower with the complexities or issues of freedom but let us let
it be a star – that will shine so bright at night, as the flag of the thirteen states did in1776 and well as the current
flag of 50 states today.
The Building is located
in New York, is New York not the
place you go if you want to become a star? So let us, let it be, be a star that shines so bright THE STAR TOWER, would be
just right – shining brightly on cold and lonely nights.
My proposal
emphasizes the stars and stripes of America – Theme
(Although just a schematic concept plan). Let us give justice to the facts of history and let the building be a star.
Let’s give Afro-American
Architectural students and professionals (& their families) a dream of being a star, where there is not only one but many
as represented as on the American flag. Although architecture in US
history still works against the grain of the creativity of Black/Afro-America let Afro/African-Americans in the architectural
profession have a dream of becoming a star and producing star quality designs for the future of America
and the world.
Henceforth –
THE STAR TOWER represents Afro-American architectural professionals.
Stars come in all colors
and nationalities/races THE STAR TOWER is representative of American freedom, the freedom to be a star. The founding fathers
of America are the stars of American history, so along with
Afro-American history let us give the Tower and the ability to be a Star as well.
If they could make it here they can make it anywhere….The
New York (World Trade
Center) STAR TOWER
the new centerpiece of New York and the world.
Joseph Edgegecombe, Architectural/historical
Leader and Scholar
F.A.C.T.S. Communications
and Design R&D/Exchange- Association Center
On the web at www.factxchange.com under WTC Development advocacy
Email: x.nation.com@earthlink.net or, jvictor21je@netscape.net
Phone: 617-905-9218 or
617-822-7580
PS.
My original written (submitted) design proposal Stars and Stripes of America
is attached or you can visit the web site under WTC Development Advocacy.
