As I know this is potentially a touchy subject, I'm presenting this topic with the hope that we can discuss this in an intelligent and thoughtful manner. It should be said that I am typing this with the fingers of a young white male from America.

A few different things have led me to ponder this subject quite a bit lately. Namely:

-Widespread oppression of the masses by our governments both physically and mentally, particularly noticeable in African-American and Hispanic populations living below the poverty line in cities

-The recent launch of Amber Lyon's website, www.reset.me, which is full of stories about photogenic white people with perfect smiles and thousands of dollars to spend on ayahuasca retreats

-My recent rediscovery of my love for jazz and funk music and culture, and my appreciation for what African-American culture has done for America. (I'm saying all of this as an American, where racial divides seems to be more pronounced, but that could be my American ignorance talking )

From my own experience only (I've been unable to find any polls or studies to confirm/dispell this observation), the use of entheogenic substances seems to be mostly within the caucasian population, with the obvious exception of traditional use in indigenous cultures around the world.

I'm interested to see if anyone else here on the Nexus has made similar observations, and if anyone has any thoughts/beliefs to share on the subject. In my opinion, being the radical tree-hugging hippie sort of type, a cultural revolution and overall paradigm shift is not only necessary for progress to be made in this world, but it also appears to be imminent. What concerns me is that, given the enormous contributions the Afrian-American population made to the counterculture movement, particularly in the first half of the 20th century, this segment of our population doesn't seem to be sharing in the insights and beliefs that appear to be flowering out of the psychedelic culture. But, IMO, if there is any population that needs to wake up to the injustice of our current system, and help change the world for the better, it's the population that is experiencing the most palpable effects of said injustice.

I know that the idea of "spreading the gospel" invokes mixed feelings here on the Nexus, ranging from people who want to shower the world in LSD Ken Kesey style, to people who think that it's better off as this secret thing that one needs to discover on their own path.

I have mixed feelings myself, but lately I have been leading toward a Ken Kesey sort of philosophy, but not directed toward well-to-do middle class white people who browse around for an ayahuasca retreat with the comfiest facilities, but rather our brothers and sisters in the minority populations living in oppression in our inner cities. If anyone needs to be "turned on" so to speak, it's them, and if there is to be a paradigm-shifting revolution through the use of entheogens, it will need to include everybody.

That being said, I'm interested to see what anyone else has to say on the subject.

What is your experience with racial divides in psychedelic use?

If there does appear to be a pronounced difference between caucasian and minority populations, why do you think this is?


Also, I'm interested in the demographics here on the Nexus. I don't know how we would go about obtaining that information, short of a race-based poll, which I certainly don't recommend because I could see it giving off the wrong idea, as well as revealing personal information.

Like I said, I am aware that this is potentially risky territory, so let's be thoughtful and loving when discussing this

I think you're probably correct in this assumption. It could be that the most widespread psychedelic cultural outreach has so far taken place in the form of music fests, Dead shows, events that largely have attracted a mainly white population. And there's another consideration, that a lot of the subculture coming from inner cities is focused on violence and inequality- and although it may be an accurate reflection of the inner city situation, it makes an uneasy bedfellow with the whole peace/love schtick that we are familiar with from the festivals. How to transcend this divide is a complex problem that could probably only be overcome by the emergence of some powerful psychedelic inner-city cultural heroes to bring a new blend into the mix.

I guess I can only speak about anecdotal evidence regarding myself, but I've personally smoked DMT with a number of black people, but perhaps that may have more to do with where I live. It's certainly not the stereotype.

As I sit here pondering this, I wonder if perhaps it's because there haven't really been many (if any) big African-American celebrities to speak up on behalf of psychedelics for them to pay attention to. Many of us found our way to DMT and the Nexus through the likes of Strassman, Rogan, the McKenna brothers, etc...To be frank, there really doesn't seem to be a black spokesperson out there for psychedelics that I can personally think of. Perhaps if that were to change, it could facilitate a shift in awareness in that demographic.

You raise some good points, I've noticed a similar situation in Australia. I'm white too by the way.

There are a lot complex factors that play a role, without walking in another mans shoes I'd only be making unfounded assumptions as to why it has come to be this way.

I can explain to some extent from my perspective, which has some relevance. Some may disagree.

Anyway
Through factors both of my own making and some beyond my control, I live in the lowest socio-economic group in my country. It's quite common for people around here to struggle to put food on their tables and afford the basic needs and things that really should be basic human rights.

The neighborhood I live is very violent, many people carry weapons and house invasions are quite common. Groups of young girls are even starting to get in on the house invasions around here but that's another story altogether.

To trip in this area is not the blissful experience it is in a more relaxed environment, in fact it's quite the opposite. I've had people try to break into my house by removing roof tiles when I was tripping - that was an experience. Because of the shit the locals get into (bashings,stabbings, robberies ect) the police are never far away and often knock on my door in the search for details of some crime that's just happened nearby - not the most enjoyable experience to have during the peak of a trip of any kind.

Another major factor in an environment like this is you need to have your wits about you at all times, if someone kicks the front door in with a weapon in hand while you are tripping you are not really going enjoy that trip much and things could get a lot more dangerous as a result. Any hope of defending yourself and family in that state is for most people greatly diminished under the influence of psychedelics.

To have a full uninterrupted nights sleep in this area is a luxury that I've only been afforded a handful of times in the five years I've lived here, because of attempted break ins and prowlers ect. To trip for an extended period is just outright irresponsible and dangerous because it puts you off your game and makes you vulnerable.

Any outward displays of the counter culture - love, peace ect are quickly recognised as signs of weakness and will be observed and exploited in very short time. Image is everything & anyone that doesn't seem mean or tough is a potential target for a robbery or break in ect.

Some areas in the US are much worse than where I live, if I had gang bangers next door with Uzi's and I was so poor that food was a luxury item I don't think tripping would be on my to do list.

I think privilege and social class play a huge role in who becomes a psychonaut and who doesn't.

People of color are generally lower class and consequently spend more time and resources surviving than an upper-middle class white person (or PoC, for that matter). There's less leftover for resource and time-intensive projects like growing, preparing, tripping on and integrating psychedelic experiences.

A class breakdown of psychonauts would be, I think, a much more interesting discussion.

Part of it is also definitely cultural.

Blessings
~ND

My experience (white American - criminal defense attorney) is that the drug(s) of choice are different. Inner city minorities are heavily involved with crack cocaine, heroin, pot and pills. I believe this is true because these are the drugs that are readily available and provide the quickest and most easily obtainable escape from a harsh reality. Inner journeys - ego dissolution is not a sought after experience. Quite the opposite - ego enhancing experiences are far more popular.

Rather than jumping to the essentialism of proclaiming:


Perhaps we could consider the selection bias present in the sample you encounter. Psychedelic users make up a tiny fraction of the overall drug-user population, and an even smaller fraction of drug war prisoners. The notion that you can make any statement about psychedelic use, let alone the statement you've actually made, based on the individuals you've encountered in the criminal "justice" system seems somewhat outlandish.

Marc Marcel . I really took a shine to this guy.