Submitted by Stephen A. Kliment, Feb 19, 2007 20:56

John Gardner:

You say that "the only problem with the project is the design of the building itself..." There is a far more serious problem, and that's the missed opportunity to hire an African American architect for a building whose very purpose is the expression of African culture. African American architects have for generations been denied the opportunity to design buildings commensurate with their ability to handle large commissions and provide inspiring designs. What a shame that the opportunity was once again witheld. I do not deny that a talented architect can design a building to respond to any social or cultural challenge . But the decision to award the museum to a white architect, even one of the talent of Bob Stern, will be seen by the Black architectural community as simply a sign of high disrespect.. I do not believe that in that community of architects,. the president of the Museum for African Art, herself an African American, could not find one to handle this commission with distinction.

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