Why Is the Psychedelic Movement Whiter than the Tea Party?
August 4th
7:30pm
Explore the unexamined bias and racial exclusion that continues to be a part of psychedelic culture.
With Baba C. Awolowo Johnson, Brother H-Ankh, Vanessa Tricoche, Luis Sanakori Ramos and A. Karim Darwish
Moderated by Dimitri Mugianis
Psychedelics are regarded by many as a tool for personal and social transformation. And yet, even at this moment of rising racial tension, the psychedelic community mirrors the white privilege common across much of our society.
What is the role of psychedelics in the current racial atmosphere? Why are the descendants of the indigenous peoples who are the source of profound plant spirit traditions so disconnected from the medicine lineages of their ancestors? What can be done to defend against the cooptation of sacred indigenous traditions by Westerners in search of novel "experiences," and who exploit these traditions for financial gain?
Tonight we explore these questions and more with four deeply knowledgeable experts in a lively, provocative discussion -- and we invite you to take part.
Tickets:
$20 online
$25 at the door
Baba C. Awolowo Johnson is a retired CUNY sociology professor (Queens College, BMCC). Outside of academia, Baba's work has been as an organiser and healer. He was a field secretary for SNCC in Mississippi in '63 and a tenant union organiser throughout the 60's. He worked as an acupuncturist at Lincoln Hospital Detox in the early 80's, was initiated as Tata Nkisi in the 70's, initiated as a priest of Ifa and given chieftaincy title in Ogboni Society in Nigeria in the early 90's. Baba is a co-founder of the Universalist Bwiti Society.
Brother H-Ankh is a radio host of www.blogtalkradio.com/magnetscrystalsandpyramids.
He is a explorer of entheogens, has shared with individuals and small groups herbal meditations, from tobacco, divine sage, mushrooms, ayahuasca.
His favorite meditation location in the city is quiet nights at the beach. New and full moon circles.
Licensed massage therapist, Reiki master, advanced Pranic healing Practioner, Magnet Therapist, Crystal Therapist, student of chi Kung, Tantra- 2nd tier through Master Yao Morris. Bro. Hankh is a product developer of Crystal Magnetic Orgone devices.
www.healingwaterbottle.com
Luis Sanakori Ramos,is LMSW a Taino Indigenous Spiritual Leader and the Director of Ceremonies at the Eagle and Condor Community Center. Luis is also the Founder of the Indigenous Mobile Library and various Indigenous Outreach programs. He currently organizes private and communal healing ceremonies.
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Professor A. Karim Darwish is a mystic who has a vast spiritual background steeped in ancient spiritual traditions all over the world. As an initiate previously in four Sufi Spiritual Orders, Palo Brillumba Kimbisa, Lucumi, Voudoun, Tibetan Bon, Dzochen and Taoism.
Due to a Kundalini experience that he had which lasted nine months it became necessary eventually to seek assistance from entheogens, which was ayahuasca. This wise plant mother helped him to overcome the pain and misery of his post Kundalini Syndrome.
Professor A. Karim Darwish has taught at Temple University for eight years, as well, has consulted for The American Heart Association as a Daoist Taiji Gong instructor in Philadelphia PA.
Dimitri Mugianis is an activist, anarchist, community organizer, artist, Bwiti Initiate and was an IV drug user for 20 years. In 2002 he was treated with Iboga. Subsequently he has facilitated over 500 underground Ibogaine ceremonies/detoxes in the US. Dimitri was initiated into the Bwiti in Gabon and returned several times for spiritual strengthening and study. Dimitri was arrested in 2011 by the DEA in a sting operation using a paid informant. After a protracted legal battle he was convicted of greatly reduced charges. He is currently the N’ganga-in-residence at New York Harm Reduction Educators (NYHRE a syringe exchange in East Harlem), where he is also the co-creator and co-facilitator of “We Are The Medicine,” a holistic approach to drug use and life. He also has a private practice where he works with clients in multiple modalities including sound meditation and white mesa. Dimitri has spoken and lectured at numerous conferences around the world. Has a television show in development
Vanessa Tricoche is a full spectrum doula, sacred birth workers, Inipi water pourer and sister who believes that healing and transformation happens in community.
Vanessa Tricoche is a community educator, artist and expert in social and emotional learning, conflict resolution, intergroup relations, diversity and crisis intervention who has been working in the not-for-profit sector for over a decade. Ms. Tricoche has developed and delivered workshops to educational institutions from kindergarten to graduate school level as well as with major non-profit agencies across the country. She has created curricula, for the empowerment of women and for NYC at-risk youth that motivate them to make a difference for themselves and their community. She is also a community healing circle facilitator, herbalist, certified lactation counselor, ritualist, Kripalu Yoga Teacher and a holistic health counselor.