NATIONAL ASSOCIATES COMMITTEE
Generation Y Redefines Diversity

by Lauren Kaye Bostic, Assoc. AIA, LEED-AP, NOMA

Summary: Emerging from the "baby boom" of our parents, Generation Y has come to view diversity in different terms. So, what does diversity mean to Gen-Y? Does it even matter to them? Their social agenda shows that it does, but through more "inclusive" means than their predecessors.

A review of my alma mater's history reminded me that my mother could not have been accepted to my undergraduate institution. Entrance into the university would have been her primary concern, whereas my agenda 30 years later did not carry the burden of gaining access to institutions. Instead, I could focus on my experience at the university. The same burden has been lifted for many underrepresented groups wanting to study or practice architecture today. However, there still lingers a "we're not there yet" mentality and an uncertainty when it comes to dealing with issues of diversity, inclusiveness, and representation in the field. As the architecture profession takes steps toward increasing underrepresented groups, it must also consider the identity of this generation, which feels it inherently represents diversity.

What shapes Gen Y?
You're probably familiar with this group as Generation Y. Many of us have read the “You Might Be a Child of the [insert decade] If …” e-mails, reminding us of TV shows we once watched, clothes we once wore, games we once played. This year's college entrants were born in the early 1990s. While they Googled their way through their entire high school career, the U.S. was at war, more and more celebrities were drawn to political and social causes, same-sex marriage was passed into law, and sustainability became a household term. Within this context, as well as with population projections showing that this generation will be the most diverse, it should be no surprise if Gen-Y is found to be more respectful of ethnic and cultural diversity than previous generations.

The current dialogue on diversity shows a cultural disconnect among generations caused by experiences, both historical and current. For every Baby Boomer who says: "We lived the Civil Rights Movement! We ARE the Civil Rights Movement!” you'll probably find a Gen-Y'er who says: “We live diversity! We ARE diversity!” They should not be expected to understand limited access to the profession any more than a Baby Boomer would be expected to intuitively understand downloading music onto an iPod. Gen-Y architects are the products of architecture camps and programs such as the ACE Mentoring Program that the Baby Boomer architects did not have. Inclusion in the profession goes beyond representation. Rather than merely being an unrepresented member, some Gen-Y'ers may be more interested in how they are included and relevant to the profession.

For every Baby Boomer who says, "We lived the Civil Rights Movement! We ARE the Civil Rights Movement!” you'll probably find a Gen-Y'er who says, “We live diversity! We ARE diversity!”

At the same time, others will build on the legacies that minority organizations and institutions bring, seeking a support system among persons with shared experiences in the field. Metrics will show what percentage of students in architecture schools are female, or how many minorities of color are AIA Associate members, or how many registered black female architects there are in the U.S. But none of this will explain the experiences of these individuals once they enter the field. This is not to say that metrics are unimportant, but they are not the only way to gauge the climate of our schools and workplaces. Stories of marginalization still occur. And because many of us think about diversity solely as representation, without regard to inclusion, we fail to implement it effectively.

Reflections of cultural change
As a black child of the ‘80s and an African-American teen of the ‘90s, I was raised in the midst of the transition to a more digitally connected, culturally diverse world. Although I cannot directly relate to my parents' stories of the Civil Rights Movement, I can relate to being a reflection of cultural change that is manifested in and inspired by opportunity. Being involved in initiatives such as the Solar Decathlon, the Newhouse Program & Architecture Competition, NOMA's Student Design Competition, and the AIAS Freedom by Design, as well as volunteering at community-based design centers, helps to give relevance to a generation that seeks to make change through action.

Simple introduction to the profession will not be sufficient; future generations will also need to express their relevance to society at large. Perceptions of diversity and inclusion will gradually evolve as we shift to a more globally connected, culturally diverse, and socially driven profession. To see an impact, we ultimately must reach a point where we employ inclusive practices instinctively.