The Crisis of the African American Architect: Conflicting Cultures of Architecture and (Black) Power
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
“…another missing piece of our rich history and profound contribution to western civilization. For history buffs please put this book on your must read list... ” George C. Fraser, Author of Race For Success and
Success Runs In Our Race
“[Mitchell] believes that the entire future of blacks in the field of architecture is in jeopardy… He then discusses the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on black architecture and the subsequent emergence of Howard University as the center of the black architectural universe...” The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
“…seminal…” Architecture Magazine
In this long overdue book aimed at Black America and her allies noted black architect-professor Melvin Mitchell begins with a question; "why didn't black architects developed a "Black Architecture" to compliment black blues- jazz music, black dance, black art, black literature, and black film during the Harlem Renaissance era?" His provocative thesis, inspired by Harold Cruse's landmark book The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual exposes the roots of an eighty year-old estrangement between black architects and Black America.
In his search for the answer Mitchell - writing in an autobiographical voice - begins with his teenage years in Watts, Los Angeles. He takes the reader on a journey through his days as a student and later professor at Howard University in the Black Power-Marion Barry era of Washington DC. Mitchell offers prescriptions for ending the schism between black architects and black culture through a radical rethinking of the role of the architecture programs inside of historically black colleges.
The Crisis of the African American Architect: Conflicting Cultures of Architecture and (Black) Power,Melvin L. Mitchell,Writers Advantage,0595243266,Architecture,Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor,History - General,Planning,Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings
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