Tito

Growing up in the 1950's and 60's during the Cold War Era, I have a natural distrust of communism.  I knew the name of the former leader of Yugoslavia was Tito and that he was a communist and really that is about all.  During our recent visit to Serbia and since we've gotten home, I've learned a bit more about him.

Here is part of what President Jimmy Carter wrote about him when Tito died in 1980. 

President Josip Broz Tito was a towering figure on the world stage. After leading his partisan forces to a hard-fought victory during World War II, he founded and led the postwar Yugoslav State for nearly 35 years. During that period he and his peoples faced many challenges, but met them with a resolute determination to maintain Yugoslavia's independence and unity and its own unique approach to domestic and foreign policies.

Another  quote from the New York Times 

Tito sought to improve life. Unlike others who rose to power on the communist wave after WWII, Tito did not long demand that his people suffer for a distant vision of a better life. After an initial Soviet-influenced bleak period, Tito moved toward radical improvement of life in the country. Yugoslavia gradually became a bright spot amid the general grayness of Eastern Europe. – The New York Times, 5 May 1980

Both of these quotes fit well with a conversation I had with a woman in a small store by the pier. Although she had a masters degree, she was managing this 7-11 type convenience store because it was the only work she could find.  For her, life was much better under the 'gentle' communism of the Tito years.  Thoughts of his death made her feel sad as she knew that the country was much better off then, with a thriving middle class, more opportunities for advancement, and more security.  She certainly believed that the old Yugoslavia was a 'bright spot amid the general grayness of Eastern Europe'.  This conversation with a stranger in Belgrade, Serbia made me examine my preconceived ideas.  I'm not advocating communism at all, but I do see there is another point of view worthy of attention. 

Learning from others and getting outside of our mental comfort zones is one of the best reasons to travel.