Articles by Jocelyn Woods

Yugoslavia is a nation divided by war. They have encountered bloodshed and disputes that have caused the loss of many lives, and displacement of many, both from their homes and families. They are also torn mentally between two fighting masses, wandering and clinging to a life that has become a daily struggle. Many people have been caught up in the middle of conflicts, disputes, and disagreements, gripping on to the life they once knew as it slips from their grasp. Its history has been stained with blood for centuries.

But the Balkans are not entirely made up of warfare and bloodshed. The people of Yugoslavia are a proud people, proud of their nation and their country. Behind the vicious cycle of war, there stands people's strength and courage. The Balkan people have to possess strength and courage to pull through, despite the force of giants that control their lives and try to gain their support. They must continue and go on, and have faith and a hope that better times are coming.

In many ways the wars are fought for the people, but it becomes a vicious immorality that comes back at the people in a cruel, devouring form. There is never a right side.

It is a struggle to contemplate which "side" is the right side in a war, for the answer will never be found. Rather, the focus should be on the people that make up the countries in the Balkans, and their courage. To understand them is to have a broad perspective of their history, including the bloodshed, and their culture.