ABSTRACT
One exploratory way of overcoming political impasses and creating more inclusive futures is to understand psycho-social obstacles to reconciliation and peace, in other words, an exploration of what makes people invested in conflict and how to address these patterns. This chapter explores collective and historical traumas and healing focusing on Turks, Kurds, and Armenians of Anatolia, Turkey; within a broader global context, highlighting how when dysfunctional societal dynamics (such as us-versus-them mentalities, ethnicism, nationalism) with deep roots in history are not addressed, continue to perpetuate violence. Providing one way of overcoming such dynamics is at the grassroots level to communicate across cultures, dialogue with those perceived as the “other,” actively humanizing one another as a form of resistance, and ultimately generating critical hope.
