Identity Issues

Clashing Identities
Louis Kriesberg observes that blaming the other side is common, but believes it actually disempowers the blamer.
Mohammed Abu-Nimer discusses the suspicion Muslims have about Northern and Western peacebuilders, which derives from colonization and occupation.
Elise Boulding talks about interacting with "others."
Helen Chauncey explains how fear can interfere with coexistence efforts.

Reconciling Identities

Helen Chauncey defines "coexistence" in terms of the constructive embracing of identity and diversity.
Helen Chauncey argues that reaching out to other identities can be constructive.
Helen Chauncey says intervenors should not be neutral when it comes to identity issues, rather they should be bi-partisan.
Richard Rubenstein suggests that religious identity plays a special in both the expression of conflict and its resolution.
Shared identity helps build trust, according toRoy Lewicki.
Chester Crocker suggests that before approaching a conflict, intervenors should engage in conflict assessment.

Case Examples
Mari Fitzduff tells a story of heroism in the midst of terrible violence.
Tamra d'Estrée describes a conflict where one side was forced to change his identity in order to achieve personal legitimacy.
Coexistence is a situation in which people embrace diverse identities constructively. Helen Chauncey explains this notion in the context of Cyprus.
Indira Kajosevic discusses why a group of Albanian high school teenagers was fighting over colors with the Bloods of the Bronx.
Helen Chauncey explores the similarities between transformative mediation and their coexistence work.