---AUTHORS OF NEW BOOK - POST TRAUMATIC SLAVERY DISORDER: DEFINITION,
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT--
EXAMINE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH OF
BLACK AMERICA---

Do you have Post Traumatic Slavery Disorder? - Reclaiming control of the psychological health of Black America will be essential to reversing poverty, achieving unity and building strong Black owned institutions

(AFRICAN AMERICAN NEWSWIRE BOSTON) Dr. Omar Reid, Sekou Mims and Larry Higginbottom authors of a new and enlightening book, "Post Traumatic Slavery Disorder (PTSlaveryD): Definition, Diagnosis and Treatment." The authors argue that the Post Traumatic Slavery Disorder has a direct relationship with post traumatic stress disorder, thus negatively affecting African Americans in a variety of ways, from drug abuse, broken families, crime and low educational attainment to an inability to reverse poverty, achieve unity and build strong Black owned institutions. Institutions to control the image of the black race via stereotypes have not changed in 300 years - and reclaiming control of the psychological health of Black America will be essential to achieving success well beyond the recent Millions More Movement.

The authors illustrate how current dysfunctional behaviors and disorders that exist among Black people have origins linked back to the African slave period. This book documents what happened during slavery and the effect on the descendants of slaves. It gives the reader an understanding of how slavery contributed to many of the dysfunctional behaviors that are exhibited by Black people today. It also supports how Blacks have been damaged from slavery as well as the American Apartheid. To change the effects of PTSlaveryD, one must first understand the cumulative toxic effects of the trauma and then develop the necessary skills to be completely free of the disorder.

Co-author and founder of the Osiris Group Larry Higginbottom says, "We have to acknowledge the trauma we've suffered, and then create a new world view and new world order. Healing comes with this new reality. Also, we have to get back to teaching people about economics, health, family, child rearing, nurturing and support. Then, we have to educate our children about how to keep our own power by creating our own opportunities. Our children and community will only do what they are conditioned to do, unless those ways are challenged or changed.

Dr. Omar Reid, psychologist, co-author and co-founder of Pyramid Builders, adds, "Black folks need to re-program their minds to understand the trauma of the ills of slavery and to focus on the reality of today - where Blacks are still underutilized in Corporate America, Black owned businesses are not being supported as much as they could be, the health of Black America is at crisis levels, the education of children of color is severely lacking and the economic state of Black America faces the extremes of poverty. As with Post Traumatic Slavery Disorder, the trauma of African Americans, past and present, clouds our ability to deal with the world as it really is. We used to make pyramids and now we don't build anything. We used to trust our communities and work together as tribes. Now, we do not trust people who look like ourselves. We were known to nurture leaders and chiefs. Now, our self esteem does not even allow us to love ourselves, let alone love others or even keep our keeps from a life of gangs, drugs and imprisonment. We still fear the 'White' man and fear losing our jobs. It is hard to get people to think outside the box and build their own businesses. Today, we need to compete in the global economy and produce cars and other important products and hire our own people.

Sekou Mims, co-author and co-founder of Pyramid Builders, also notes, "The bottom line is that 'We need to 'de-niggerize' our folks so that they can move ahead, organize, and find success. "First, Black folks need to eat right so that they can physically develop a healthy body and mind. Then, they need to eliminate the stereotypes presented in the media and truly examine the facts about who they were, who they are now, and who they need to be. Next, they will need people who can help them learn how to walk again, think again and act again….as they take the journey to a mind and life poised for greater achievement and progress. For example, all those people who attended the Millions More Movement need to come back to the community and be leaders. We have to get out of the 'leave it behind' syndrome and share the spirit, energy and information that was received from the Millions Movement March with people in your community to help move ahead and prosper. We need to work with each other, and not get turned off easily with each other, but be committed to each other's success. We should not continue the disunity created in the bowels of slave ship."

The book gives more detail about defining, diagnosing and treating Post Traumatic Slavery Disorder. For interviews with the authors or review copies of the book, contact Janine Fondon via phone (413) 734-6444 or send email to jfondon@unityfirst.com. The book may be purchased online at www.ptslaveryd.com.

About the authors:

The authors of his book are researchers, healers and social scientists who understand the universal laws of nature:

Larry Higginbottom is founder of The Osiris Group, has developed The Learning Center model, a behavior management tool, which focuses on academic achievement and containment of inappropriate school behavior of the socially maladjusted student.
Sekou Mims, co-author and co-founder of Pyramid Builders, also notes, "The bottom line is that 'We need to 'de-niggerize' our folks so that they can move ahead, organize, and find success. "First, Black folks need to eat right so that they can physically develop a healthy body and mind. Then, they need to eliminate the stereotypes presented in the media and truly examine the facts about who they were, who they are now, and who they need to be. Next, they will need people who can help them learn how to walk again, think again and act again….as they take the journey to a mind and life poised for greater achievement and progress. For example, all those people who attended the Millions More Movement need to come back to the community and be leaders. We have to get out of the 'leave it behind' syndrome and share the spirit, energy and information that was received at the Millions Movement March with people in your community -- to help others move ahead and prosper. We need to work with each other, and not get turned off easily with each other, but be committed to each other's success. We should not continue the disunity created in the bowels of slave ship, but create a new reality built on helping each other."

Dr. Omar Reid is a licensed educational psychologist and licensed mental health counselor. He is also certified as a school psychologist in Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Virginia, Maryland and New Hampshire. Omar received is doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Antioch New England Graduate School (Keene, New Hampshire) and did his clinical training at the Children's Hospital in Boston, Boston Medical Center and the VA Hospital in Montrose, New York. Dr. Reid worked as a school psychologist in the Boston Public School system for 12 years. Dr. Reid is co-founder and co-director of Pyramid Builders. Dr. Reid currently provides learning disabilities assessment for schools, in additional to offering individual, families, couples and group counseling.

For interviews with the authors or review copies of the book, contact Janine Fondon via phone (413) 734-6444 or send email to jfondon@unityfirst.com. The book may be purchased online at www.ptslaveryd.com
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