The Achilles Heel of Cultural Hegemony
A New Perspective
A decade before my transformative Aha moment, I was swept up in a lifestyle fueled by the rebellious spirit of the 1960s counterculture. Alongside a group of adventurous young people, I wandered the valleys and hills of Honolulu, where family bonds were fluid, and the community pulsed with tribal energy.
Gas was cheap, America radiated hope, and we moved effortlessly through a landscape shaped by privilege — privilege we barely recognized.
That lifestyle faded more quickly than I anticipated, but during its fleeting brilliance, I gained invaluable experience as a construction estimator. The practical skills I acquired served as my entry into the demanding world of a major architectural firm.
For the next 6 years at Kaplan/McLaughlin/Diaz architects, I steadily rose through the ranks, serving as a project manager and contract administrator. The firm increasingly entrusted me with high-profile projects, each one sharpening my expertise and leadership.
