from the soul... from the heart…
william hart
former aia portland board director/officer
Recently I was honored and given the opportunity to share my thoughts on the current crisis underway that is threatening our communities. After some reflection, I recognized an opportunity where my sharing may assist our colleagues to cope with today's challenging and disorienting times. First off, I don't have the answers, but I may have some options for you to consider.
But who am I? I'm an African American from the east coast who grew up in a small town, and at an early age decided I wanted to become an architect. I have never regretted the decision for a second, but there have been some challenges along the way. Education began as an undergrad at Dartmouth and then a graduate degree at U of Oregon before a career in Oregon. I've traveled around the world working and conducting research on indigenous architecture and sustainable design/construction from a variety of distinct cultures and communities.
By now, you've been sent numerous messages about the peaceful protests and police violence, but I wanted to focus on a different message. My focus is the network of institutional racism that has been the knee on the neck of people of color. It's a trait that has defined this country.
"Institutional racism: a form of racism expressed in the practice of social and political institutions. It is reflected in disparities regarding wealth, income, criminal justice, employment, housing, health care, political power and education, among other factors."
Through this crisis we are witnessing the extent of the disparities in many aspects of our communities of color. And while we struggle with COVID-19 and witness police killings on Black Americans across this country, climate change is ravishing our planet. We find arctic poles and glaciers melting. We are destroying the foods we grow while people are starving across the world. And plastics, plastics are everywhere, in the ocean, and in our fish. Australia's fires haven't stopped burning yet. What about the forced migration of communities, which encircles the globe?
When asked, "What do I do in light of these challenges?"
My response is simple.
I dig deeper within myself in recognition that my voice and my actions need to be heard and acted upon. As an architect I view my role to listen to people and provide design services to help shape our physical world while making our communities healthy and sustainable. But my role is to serve and inspire black, indigenous, and people of color to get involved and participate in shaping the future. I’m a mentor to assist young designers of color who seek a career in the design and construction industry or perhaps an innovative new role within the industry. I support cultural diversity in leadership as a significant component of a healthy organization for a balanced leadership.
COVID-19 and the brutal, senseless killings of Black Americans are exposing and giving us a view of the divide. Let's look at America's social systems and see whose needs are considered first. It's time to change all that. We need strong leadership to engage with communities to explore and create innovative and culturally sensitive solutions to our social issues.
Now is the time for new leadership to emerge, and for established leaders to find new ways to lead. Use this time to reflect on your role in making the world a better place for somebody else, perhaps for someone less fortunate. As we begin to gather using social distancing, now is the time to reach out and communicate with new people and new faces. Get out of the box and be ready for change.
It's time for a shift but this one won't start at the top. Leadership from the top is often needed to change or bring about a shift culture. But when the leadership isn't there, new leadership needs to emerge. We will always have leaders, but it's the leadership that counts.
But I believe this time is unique, or at least I hope so. A courageous, young, white America is stepping up as they see their future, society and democracy begin to crumble in front of them. They join the frontline protesters who have been on the streets for decades. They recognize that we are all in this and it's more powerful with all of our multi-cultural brothers and sisters together. The rules are changing again, but in a way that supports these marginalized and underserved communities.
Consider on how you're going to get involved. What is your passion? Find an issue, find a community, adopt a challenge and go for it. There is plenty of stuff out there that needs some attention. Dig in and get involved. Be a mentor for someone or make a connection between colleagues. Show us your leadership as you develop holistic, regenerative, sustainable designs, which promote health and wellbeing. You've explored energy efficient systems and developed innovative modular building systems. Using the IoT (internet of things) SMART cities and towns harvest real-time data to support the infrastructure of these revitalized and innovative communities. Communities should be healthy, efficient, and provide shelter to all members of society.
The response to COVID is forcing humanity to reset to accept new behaviors and lifestyle. We will need leaders like you as we transition to a new vision. We have many challenges in front of us and leadership is required. There really is a surplus of resources; we just need to do better at balancing them. The skills and talents we have, whether developed or emerging, are necessary for us to move ahead. What could the future look like? How will the physical landscape evolve as it interfaces with all aspects of our communities?
The challenges continue to come. Leadership needs to emerge. Perhaps now is your time.
We need you.