Yazan sent me this (I cite with his permission): "The story of Amina has been troubling me for a while, and there more I dive into it, the weirder it gets. I do want to believe that she exists and is part of the ranks who are challenging the regime, but if there is something more to her, then this is a disaster and a boon for the regime's propaganda. Here is an article by NPR's Andy Carvin in regards to her story:
Carvin cautiously points out that no media organization was able to personally meet her, or speak to someone how knows her (such as family, friends, co-workers). Another blogger, one Liz Henry, suggested some "painful doubts" on her own post regarding the story: Henry points out the examples of Plain Layne (a supposedly bisexual young woman who turned out to be a middle-aged white man, who in turn won an award for writing as a young Muslim girl with a Jewish girlfriend). Henry calls these examples as "fictional” blogging, which can be used in a number of ways by a number of individuals and parties for some end. I understand how dangerous this line of argument presents itself, a danger that both Carvin and Henry acknowledge as well; doubting a person's existence when they possibly do exist and are in a situation of potentitally great harm, is damning. What doesn't help as well in all this is the recent information, as published by the Wall Street Journal, that the photos being passed around of Amina is apparently of another woman. Very curious stuff, and can only be dispelled if someone close to Amina, a family or friend, does speak out about her."
PS I have no way of knowing whether she exists or not, but seek verification. I am sick and tired today of the festival of lies and fabrication surrounding coverage of Syria.
PSS Yazan suggested that we read here too.
PSS Yazan suggested that we read here too.
