Peaceful Warriors: A Healing Circle for Men of Color
When: Every Friday from 6:00 - 7:30pm
Please register by 5:30pm:
Luis Marroquin | Facilitator & Artist | peacefulwarriorsmenscircle@gmail.com
Peaceful Warriors was created out of the necessity to offer a safe place for men to be vulnerable and to receive support. We recognize that the socially imposed ideas of what a "man" should be, are rooted in a toxic, violent male-dominated oppressive system. Only men can heal themselves and reclaim our identity of nurturing healthy masculinity. All men of color are welcome. Self-identified BIPOC, Black/ African American, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islanders, Queer, Non-Binary, and Dual Spirits are welcome.
“Peaceful Warriors has provided me with the gift of having a safe space to share wisdom, remain accountable, and above all be heard. As a young man who struggles with feelings of loneliness and depression, I have long felt the need for connection in a world that often conditions us to keep these feelings to ourselves. Peaceful Warriors proves there is power in not being alone and there is strength in collective healing. I am thankful for finding this circle and hope other men can find a similar peace.”- Ivan
Luis Marroquin
Luis Marroquin is a facilitator for the Peaceful Warriors Men's Healing Circle. He has been facilitating men's circles for 4 years in East Oakland at Amor Eterno Arte, a Tattoo shop and community space. Luis has also co-facilitated men circles with his mentor and community elder Maestra Teresa Iñiguez-Flores, a curandera based out of San Francisco.
Luis does not consider himself a healer, in the sense that he can heal anyone, as he knows he can only support those who choose to heal themselves. Luis shares his personal healing journey and experiences that are rooted in spirituality to support other men dealing with trauma. He does this by creating a sacred and safe space that allows men to connect to their emotions, identity, and spirit. He believes that healing is a lifelong process of reclaiming self-identity of what a “man” should be, not the toxic masculinity that has been imposed on men through social and cultural constructs. Healing and self-awareness is a process that requires patience, courage, support, and a lot of self-love.