This week we're devoting our entire episode to the debacle that was AIA CEO Robert Ivy's statement in support of President-elect Donald Trump, and the ensuing fallout among AIA members and others within the architecture community. Joining us is Katherine Darnstadt, founder and principal at Chicago-based Latent Design, and the originator of the dissenting #NotMyAIA hashtag, tweeted in response to Ivy's initial letter.
To get the full background to the whole controversy, read our feature: Architects Respond to the AIA’s Statement in Support of President-Elect Donald Trump
Listen to episode 89 of Archinect Sessions, "AIAWOL":
10 Comments
Thank you for the discussion. Equity is for Everyone!
Ken really gets in some zingers in this episode. It's a painful discussion to be having, but we're all very fired up.
I stopped listening 10-11 min in. Everything was going fine, but then Amelia gives Ken the microphone.
First, he acknowledges he was late to the topic and it didn't even strike him as an issue until other people pointed it out. Ok, no issue there, but then he lays on the righteous indignation so thick his rant rang pretty hollow to me. It's unfortunate because I was interested to hear what you all had to say on the subject, but I couldn't even get through Ken's ranting.
I might try listening again when I have more patience.
Right, never actually do any reading, or hear your friend's points of view, to have you re-examine your own?
As for being late, by what measure would you call me late to the game? I think the AIA laid it down on Wednesday, I reacted Saturday morning, and as I stated I was on the street protesting, and listening to other's impassioned pleas, regarding the new president-elect on Thursday.
So what if my righteous indignation didn't time out according to your timeframe? My world was wrapped in dealing with, and hearing about friends and family being attacked or verbally accosted.
You know, if we didn't listen to other's pain, how can we expect to feel any empathy?
Don't listen, I wouldn't want you to hurt your delicate sense of what's the right time to respond to any particular issue, as I am sure you're fine with the AIA Rapid Response Ass Kissing.
Doh
EI, I agree with you on two points; Amelia shouldn't give me the mic and I think I let my anger get the best of me, and it too makes me cringe. But, in my defense I've never been impressed with Ivy and think they pay lip service to diversity and the real concerns of membership, and it's something that I've been pretty consistent on throughout the podcasts.
Also, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a many white professionals willing to articulate the anger I've expressed, in the way I've expressed. Is that good, or bad? I'm not sure, but I do know it's an honest assessment of who I am, based on the listening, reading, and experiences I've had. So, while you, I and many others find it uncomfortable, others I've spoken to expressed to me their appreciation for my anger.
I wasn't trying to disparage you, your remarks, or your anger (good or bad) in any way. I'm sorry if my comments came across that way. The time frame and being 'late' was your own, again I don't really care that you were late to the topic or needed others to articulate things from their viewpoint in order for you to understand it as I stated above. As you stated you had other concerns you were engaged with and that is valid. My comments were more intended as my way of saying that I was annoyed that it seemed like you were just trying to jump on the #notmyAIA bandwagon and I lacked the patience at the time to fully listen to it. I'll listen to the episode in its entirety soon and probably have more comments, but until then ... we good?
EI of course, we good. I more than anyone know, especially after I listen to the podcast, how I come across, sometimes it's difficult to be present and not let my anger get the best of me. The week before, my anger was more measured.
I'll keep trying.
Bob should resign though.
EI, you gotta keep listening til you get to Ken's rambling list of people who should go away! It's hilarious!
(Also you'll hear me attempt to say "contretemps" out loud for the first time. We're not perfect on the podcast (though Katherine is pretty damn close) but we do get passionate!)
fuck beta, go alpha
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