Arwa Damon… Still… a CNN Hero…
Arwa Damon…
Is back…
In Syria…
This war reporter…
This woman…
Knows no… boundaries…
No limitations…
No barriers…
No fear…
She…
Plunges…
Into… danger…
Zones of… havoc…
Horror…
Shocks… of bullets…
Shame…
Torturers…
Justice… is the unknown…
Death… of freedom…
Of democracy… of opinion…
Will there ever be an end…
To Chaos…
Hail…
Arwa’s courage…
We…
Salute her bravery…
Arwa Damon…
An angel…
Truly…
A CNN…
Hero…
a.
Earlier post published…below: https://lettredeparis.com/2011/03/arwa-damon-cnn-hero/
Arwa Damon – CNN “Hero”
Posted on March 23, 2011
If Hala Gorani is the “Diva” of CNN, Arwa Damon is undoubtedly its… “Heroine”.
Who is Arwa….?
We first made Arwa’s acquaintance during the Invasion of Iraq. She appeared on TV screens timidly – looking pale, fair, and wan, reporting daily on the horrors of war, which was waged unecessarily – it has to be said – by the rash and foolish George W. Bush and his so called “poodle” Tony Blair.
We were instantly drawn to this unassuming young woman dressed in her usual fatigues and “keffiyeh” (the traditional Arab/Bedouin headdress) – who spoke softly and listened attentively.
Her head wrapped in a scarf, she merged with the indigenous people easily, communicating in English (with an American accent), but also she would be squatting like a native and talking with them in Arabic.
Who is this young woman reporting from one of the fiercest and most dangerous war zones on the planet…?
Arwa Damon was born in Boston, Massachussets, U.S.A. Her father is Dr. George Damon, Headmaster of the American Community School in Beirut, which is where the family is now based. Her mother, Joumana, is Syrian, who grew up in Damascus.
Arwa graduated with Honours, with a double major in French and Biology, as well as a minor in International affairs, from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York in 1999. She is fluent in French, Turkish (where she lived and studied for many years) and Arabic.
Arwa joined CNN in February 2006. She is an award-winning journalist, and is CNN’s Beirut correspondent reporting on the Middle East from Lebanon. We have been very impressed by her supreme professionalism, as well as her amazing courage.
After the harrowing invasion and occupation of Iraq, Arwa somehow seemed to smooth the edges of war, wherever she went, by assuaging the fears and worries of the petrified and terrified civilians, who were badly in need of a cool, calm, and intelligent friend. She continued on her mission “near-impossible”, forging a true and sincere friendship with the civilian population – one person they could trust… in a hellish situation.
During the recent Tunisian uprising, and the overthrowing of the President, Arwa is reporting there again. Not in the least discouraged, she continued on to Cairo, Egypt as a war correspondent, reporting on the inspirational toppling of the Mubarak regime, while watching brave Egyptian people fighting their way to Democracy.
One would think that it would have been fair for Damon, by now, to pack her bags and go on an extended, exotic holiday, but that would not be true of Arwa Damon.
Days and weeks rolled by, before we next hear the calm, reassuring voice of this amazing young woman, Arwa Demon – yet again, reporting from Libya… the latest conflict, between the mad, bad Ga
ddafi and his people, who would very much like him to leave. “Dégage” – as they say in France… LEAVE.
In our view, Arwa gets the “Legion d’Honneur” – the highest award for being the most authentic, discreet, understated, intelligent, clever professional – her courage defies all reason.
We love watching her lovely, serene face, and her beautiful, expressive, huge eyes, reporting from the humble homes of indigenous people, while listening to their tales of woe, making them feel that someone is listening, and someone cares…
People like Arwa give us hope that all is not lost in these outrageous and turbulent times… an Angel.
Arwa Damon – we annount you the “Heroine” of CNN.
a.