Valerie Leveroni Corral, writing for Chacruna:
During the Women and Psychedelics Forum, co-promoted by the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines and the East West Psychology Program of the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), held November 19 at CIIS in San Francisco I twice used the n-word during my remarks.
I apologize for my careless and insensitive use of this racist term. It inflicted harm on people of color who have faced years of racist oppression. I also inflicted harm on the community, the Women & Psychedelics Forum, the organizers, and CIIS.
While I am sorry for my offense, I recognize there is no way to extract the pain or to soften the blow I obliged others to endure. The onus is on me to rectify the harm caused and, although I cannot take back the damage, I will work to understand and acquire a greater knowledge of racism to which I contributed and how to end it. I promise to regularly inquire, both personally and externally, to gain information that broadens my understanding of racism in America and work against racist ideology, my own and that of others. I will do everything in my power to carry out my commitment.
What exactly did she say? A transcript or video clip of this section of the panel would help those of us who weren’t there have a clearer understanding about what happened. The collective open apology from the group explores it a bit more and makes Chacruna’s stance on the issue very clear, but there are still details missing from this story that would be helpful to have.
Regardless of whether we ever get more information or not, it’s reassuring to see Corral and Chacruna make a public apology like this. Good on them.