Post Traumatic
Slavery Disorder
Sekou Mims, M.Ed., MSW
Larry Higginbottom, MSW, LCSW
Omar Reid, Psy.D
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Post Traumatic Slavery Disorder
What is PTSD?
Sekou Mims, M.Ed., MSW
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
What is PTSD and How
Does it Relate to PTSlaveryD?
 According to the DSM-IV, the essential feature of
PTSD is the characteristic symptoms following
exposure to an extreme traumatic stressor with
direct personal experience of an event that involves
actual or threatened death or serious injury, or other
threat to one’s physical integrity; or witnessing an
event that involves death, injury, or a threat to the
physical integrity of another person; or learning
about unexpected or violent death, serious harm, or
threat of death or injury experienced by a family
member or other close associate.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
What is PTSlaveryD
and How Does it Relate to PTSD?
 PTSlaveryD is not described in the Diagnostic
Statistical Manual. PTSlaveryD is a non-traditional
model discovered, defined and used by Pyramid
Builders for relative and comparative diagnoses of
the hundreds of clients seen across our social work
spectrum. Based on our client success rate,
Pyramid Builders, Inc. has decided to create a
curriculum manual for social workers and other
human service professionals to use while
addressing specific issues as defined by Post
Traumatic Slavery Disorder.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Comparative Disorders
Post Traumatic Stress
Re-experiencing
Mode
 Cognitive
 Physiological
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 Multiple Modes
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 Affective
 Behavioral
Avoidance
 Amnesia for trauma
Intrusive Thoughts
derealization/
Intrusive Images
depersonalization
Anxiety
 Emotional numbing
Anger
Isolation of affect
Increased Activity
 Avoidance of traumarelated situations
Aggression
Physiological reactivity  Sensory numbing
to trauma reminders
 Complex activities in
dissociates states
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Comparative Disorders
Post Traumatic Slavery Disorder
Dis-Unity
Mode
 Behavioral
 Physiological
 Affective
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Identity/self-esteem
Cognitive
Spiritual
Relational
behavioral
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Symptoms
 Re-experiencing
 Avoidance
 Depression
 Aggression
 Semi-consciousness
 Trying to prove to
others your value.
 Not wanting to talk
about your history,
esp. slave history.
Reaction/Results/Responses
Effects on the Individual
 Substance Abuse
 Violence
 Low Self-Esteem
 Fear of Individualism
 Avoidance
 Identity
 Schizoid Character
 Spiritual Blocks
Effects on the Family
 Minimal Participation
 Breakup of the family
 Loss of income/culture
 Recurring abuse/violence
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Slave History vs. Black History
 Black history in America is slave history not the
beginning of Black history.
 Black history as most of you, know began at the
beginning of human life on earth.
 The slave ship was designed for dis-unity
 The accumulation of low self-esteem within young
people comes from a lack of exposure to their full
history and culture, from the beginning, where they
can gain pride.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
The African Holocaust
 Any trauma victim does not like to be reminded of the
trauma that he or she has experienced. Any trauma
victim has a tendency to avoid anything that reminds
him or her of the trauma. Avoidance is one of the
symptoms of PTSD. It has generally been my
experience when presenting the history of the 'African
Holocaust' to Black People the majority of them will say
“I don’t want to here that slave __hit, can't we just
move on?” I usually reply by stating “Yes, but not until
we get rid of the shackles that are impairing our
process to move on successfully; we must face the past
in order to rid ourselves of the current traumas.”
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
A History at War with Economics
Introduction to Willie Lynch part I
1. Terror: “take the meanest and most restless nigger, strip
him of his clothes in front of the remaining niggers, the
females, and the nigger infants, tar and feather him, tie
each leg to a different horse faced in opposite directions,
set him afire and beat both horses to pull him apart in front
of the remaining niggers.”
Willie Lynch, 1712
“Lets Make a Slave”
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
A History at War with Economics
Introduction to Willie Lynch part II
2. Fear: “The next step is to take a bull whip and beat another
nigger male to the point of death in front of the females and
the infants. Don’t kill him, but put the fear of god in him for
he can be useful for future breeding.”
Willie Lynch, 1712
“Lets Make a Slave”
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Physical Terrorism Was
Used to Breed Mental Terrorism
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It was important to have all witness this brutality to create a
constant visual and thereby mental frame of reference about the
atrocities that would be released upon any individual who dared to
challenge the system of slavery.
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One group of people were pitted against another mentally,
physically and spiritually for the benefit of plantation owners who
wanted to keep all of the money they made for themselves.
 It is a variety of the residual effects of this mental terrorism on the
descendants of enslaved Africans that we are defining 383 years
later as Post Traumatic Slavery Disorder.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
A Summary of PTSlaveryD
 Those who wanted us to have little self-worth so that they
could pay us no wages and then few wages defined and
explained us as a people, our history and conditions for
their own economic benefit.
 What has been most difficult to overcome is that after so
many years of such negative and berating advertising and
propaganda, everyone, including us the victims of this
slander have come to believe those definitions and that is
what we are trying to overcome by treating PTSlaveryD.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Post Traumatic Slavery Disorder
Shattering the Veil of “Mentalcide”
Larry Higginbottom, MSW, LCSW
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
“Mentalcide:” Losing Culture & Knowledge
 The beginnings of "Mentalcide" started when African people
could no longer interact with their families and friends using
their language(s), customs, values, norms, beliefs, rituals
etc. That period lasted from 1619 until approximately 1865,
or 246 years.
 The second developmental stage of "Mentalcide," occurred
from 1865 until about 1965, or 100 years of what I have
come to refer as (US Apartheid) the Jim Crow laws and the
Black Codes. The environment Blacks were confronted
with when the legalization of slavery ended did not end the
process of a developing social "Mentalcide," it caused a
festering and growth.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Defining “Mentalcide”
Destruction of Our Own Self-Development
“Mentalcide” will develop
when an individual has
been estranged from
thinking clearly,
coherently and
independently due to
extreme psychological,
physical and emotional
violence. Prolonged
exposure to these
conditions will also
produce an alienation to
knowledge, information or
learning
1619-1865 246 Slave
Years Conditioning
1865-1965 100 Apartheid
Years Jim Crowism
Inclusion in
1965-2002 37
Years Democracy
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
“Mentalcide:” A Veil of Perception
"Mentalcide" has three modalities:
– 1) a brainwashing that allows one human being
to abuse another either mildly or extremely;
– 2) a visualization by one human being seeing
different human beings as other than human;
– 3) and an effort on behalf of human beings to
become something other than who they are to
protect themselves.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
“Mentalcide” as Homicide and Suicide
 Mental Homicide: is as
though a veil has covered
the eyes of the afflicted and
they can only see what is
on the veil. The afflicted
person believes what they
see to the extent that they
will kill another to justify the
veil. The act of killing
another because of this veil
is what we have deemed
mental homicide.
 Mental Suicide: the afflicted
make themselves as
small/insignificant as possible:
a tall/large, brilliant, Black man
will become small, and unintimidating he will smoke,
drink, do drugs, dress down,
hunch his shoulders, be
unkempt, and uneducated. A
striking, Black woman will
become insignificant by
dressing and acting like a
sexual object rather than a
competitive intelligent person.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Definition of Healthy Mental State
One’s Ability to Construct Their Own Self-Development
A persons ability to capitalize on their own knowledge,
information and learning comes from a healthy mental state
of being. When a person has a healthy mental state of being
they are able to think clearly, coherently and independently
on behalf of their own personal development as well as that
of their family and community.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Mentalcide: a Conceptual Reference
A Veil Created by Slavery and Transferred from
Generation to Generation by Institutions of Mass Media
 Institutions to control the image of the black race via
stereotypes, many have not changed in 300 years,
chattel images are still in place effecting us today.
 22-year-old Amadou Diallo, described by his family
as a devout Muslim who had never been in trouble
with the law, died in February, 1999 in a hail of 41
bullets fired by 4 white police officers while he
stood in his own doorway.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Mentalcide: Mental Homicide
The Veil Defining Black Males
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Murderer
Rapist
Lazy
Gang Member
Car Jacker
Unintelligent
Low IQ
SPED
Sperm Donor
Dysfunctional Family
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Absentee Father
Abandons Children
Stud
Emotionally Unstable
Drug Involved
Alcoholic
Physically Aggressive
Woman Beater
Name a few ….
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Mentalcide: Mental Homicide
The Veil Defining Black Females
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Seductress
Sexual Beast
Lazy
Welfare Mother
Thief
Unintelligent
Low IQ
SPED
Baby Factory
Dysfunctional Family
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Absentee Mother
Abandons Children
Breeder
Emotionally Unstable
Drug Involved
Alcoholic
Physically Aggressive
Male Hound
Name a few ….
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Public Demonstrations of Brutality
Workforce Exploitation, Economic Terrorism
Many institutions which employ professionally trained
individuals promote company policies which require the
individual to submit to a professional ideology and
methodology. However, higher ranking officials
superimpose their own ideologies and beliefs which are
alien to the professional’s culture, values and beliefs.
However, because of economic terrorism many
professionals are forced to submit to the official’s
viewpoint even when they disagree with its effectiveness
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Defining Economic Terrorism
with Today’s Professional
Economic terrorism is defined as the perceived/verbalized
or written threat of loss of income. It can also come in the
form of the perception or anticipation of a ruined or
derailed career, and/or the destruction of one’s reputation
or credibility.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Demonstrations of Brutality
New Paradigms and Processes
Mental Terrorism is used to breed economic
terrorism. Terror threat with loss of income Fear: It is important to have all witness this brutality
to create a constant visual frame of reference about
the atrocities that would be released upon any
individual who dared to challenge the official.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
The Importance of Cultural Relevance
Terms and Definitions According to Webster Dictionary
 Culture: a. The integrated pattern of human knowledge,
belief and behavior that depends upon mans capacity for
learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding
generations; b. The customary beliefs, social forms,and
material traits of a racial, religious or social group; c. The
set of shared attitudes, values, goals and practices that
characterizes a company, corporation or people.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Escaping Economic Terrorism
 Starting your own mental health practice and other human
service businesses
 Start our own charter schools
 Create a 100 year community plan
 Create funding “Trusts” among ourselves to implement our
long-range plans
 Getting Licensed
 Liability Insurance
 Third party reimbursement: Getting on insurance panels
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
DETOXIFICATION FROM PTSlavery D
Omar G. Reid, Psy.D
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
PTSlaveryD Toxification
 PTSlaveryD is a cumulative effect of the slavery
experience. It is causes a paralysis of mind, body, and
spirit. PTSslaveryD is mis-education, coupled with poor
living and eating habits that leads to countless medical
problems and diseases. PTSlaveryD is a lack of self
history, it is self-hate, 'Mentalcide' (mental suicide and
mental homicide). PTSlaveryD as a disease has been
produced, enhanced, and maintained by the institutions
that utilize capitalism to exploit masses of poor people--and
in the history of the United States, Black people, for the
economic gain of a few.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
The Umbrella of PTSlaveryD
A Sampling of Disorders & Dysfunctions Include:
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: disorder related to a trauma
Chronic Traumatic Stress Disorder: persistent disorder
A Veil of Misperception: an inability to determine "humanity"
"Mentalcide:" mental and physical homicide and suicide
Economic Terror: fear of economic persecution from employer
Cumulative Behavioral Disorders due to a lost sense of worth
Toxic Health Disorders due to mis-education and time sickness
Dysfunctional Family Disorder: self-hatred, impaired perception
Society Disorder: racism, urban psychosis, etc.
Racial Identity Disorder: self-esteem, body and hair image issues
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Symptoms of Disorder Include
disorganization with one’s life:
 Heart Disease: a cumulative ingestion of high cholesterol foods paired with
high levels of stress leading to clogged arteries.
 Diabetes: a cumulative ingestion of high sugar and white flour foods which turn
quickly to glucose and cause carbohydrate surges in the blood stream making
the body over-react or under-react to insulin.
 Prostate/Breast Cancer: a cumulative ingestion of high cholesterol meats
and white flour foods which create a 'greasy glue' that sticks to the walls of
arteries and organs. This 'greasy glue' molds, rots, festers and metastasizes
to create cancers that spread.
 Colon Cancer: dehydration to the point where the colon does not have enough
water to pass waste through normal bodily functions.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Knowledge as a Tool
Knowing the self is a most important beginning to detoxifying from
PTSlaveryD, because you have to know what to detoxify. Below is
a checklist of the three most important areas to begin.
Mind
Body
Spirit
Economic Center
Health
Power Center
Children
Nutrition
Time Sickness
Elders
Exercise
Home
Ancestral
Environment
Family
Serenity
Rest
Community
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
How Do We Begin to Control our Mind?
Slow Your Body Down to Begin to Gain Control of Your Thoughts and Actions
 Meditation Technique 1: Sun/Light
therapy, anti-depression.
 Eating organic, non processed foods
and living foods.
 Taking vitamin and trace-minerals.
 Meditation Technique 2: Visit your
ancestors in the past and in the
future.
 Raising your financial genius:
Getting into the game of capitalism.
 Constantly returning to the archives
of our knowledge and world
knowledge.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Time Sickness
If You Don’t Control Your Time Well Enough to “Make Time” for The Things You Need
To Do To Keep Yourself Healthy and Focused You Will Be Out Of Sync With Yourself.
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Assess your needs and make a list
Make the time to do listed items
Make the time to shop
Purchase and store fresh foods
Read labels for purity of content
Make time to wash, cut-up & store fresh foods needed for daily diet
Prepare Breakfast, lunch, dinner at least 5 days a week
Make time to wind down at the end of the day
Make time to get 6 to 8 hours sleep
Make time to meditate, exercise, and learn.
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
The Impact of Diet
If we are biologically stunted, nothing that we do to our minds will work. We have to prepare
the body and the mind to take in knowledge.
Diet Problem
Mental/Physical Reaction
Alternatives/Solution(s)
Nicotine
Addiction, Depression
Meditation, Exercise
Alcohol/Drugs Addiction, Depression,
Nightmares, Memory Loss
Caffeine
Memory Loss, Depression,
Irregular heart beat & Sleep
Sugar
Diabetes, Calcium Deficiency
Walking, Exercise,
Personal Development
Water, Herbal Teas,
Real 100% Juices,
Fruits and Honey
Refined Flour
Diabetes, Obesity, Fatigue
Whole Grains
Salt
High blood pressure/Gout
Powered Seasonings
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Nutrition
 Do a personal physical exam
what are you taking into your
system that will give you blood
deficiencies? Are caffeine,
alcohol, and nicotine a part of
your daily diet?
 Dietary Assessment: what
percentage of dead foods to
you take into your system
verses amount of living foods?
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Spirituality is Good For You
 Inner Peace, lowers blood
pressure, sooths nerves
 Calms the mind and allows
Rem sleep
 Connects to a power greater
than immediate self
 Gives protection from
PTSlaveryD relapse
 Take long walks through green
spaces and waterways
 Watch the sunset go down
 Watch the dawn come up
 Cloud watch, bird watch
 Listen to soft music no lyrics
 Read spiritual works
 Take Tai-Chi
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Culture and Family History
Plays a Role in Reinforcing Self-Esteem
What is your genealogy
What ancestors have come before us
Whose shoulders do you stand on?
How did your ancestors play a role in your being in this
room today?
 Who will you open doors for tomorrow?
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Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Using the Genogram for Treatment
 In the shape of a tree starting
with yourself go backwards in
time tracing your family roots
beginning with your parents, to
grandparents on both sides
and their parents, and as far
as you can. Men are
represented by the square
symbol and women
represented by the circle
symbol
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group
Intervention and Prevention
 Understand vitamin and mineral deficiency
relationships to diseases.
 Vitamin B deficiencies lead to irritability,
depression, lack of energy, muscle loss,
and hair, nail and bone loss.
 Additives, preservatives, fungicides and
pesticides lead to allergies, asthma
reactions, Parkinson's disease, cancers,
and other problems
 Too much “Soul food:” leads to obesity,
diabetes, gout, high blood pressure, stroke,
heart attacks, and other health problems.
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I. Skills to Combat PTSlaveryD
II. From Pyramid Builders to Memory Loss
III. Effects of PTSlaveryD Today
IV. Basic Steps to Detoxification
V. Awareness of Vitamins and Minerals
VI. Relationships of Deviance & Capitalism
VII. Awareness of Time Sickness
VIII. The Basics of Financial Intelligence
IX. GOP Economics
X. Prevent PTSlaveryD Relapse
XI. Ways to Protect the Family System
XII. Dissolve PTSlaveryD in the Community
Pyramid Builders Associates\Osiris Group