Public Letter About Damavava
I wanted to let you all know that Damavava contacted me a few weeks ago, apologizing for claiming my stories and photos as her own. I feel that she is being very genuine in her apology and she takes full responsibility for her actions I do not feel that she was being malicious at all, in fact, her behavior (contacting me) was quite noble. Her screen name could have disappeared off the face of the Internet and returned as someone else with none of us the wiser. But she chose not to. She chose to face the music and I greatly respect her for that.
She is deeply upset with herself and feel that she deserves the punishment of being ostracized for her actions. I, however, do not. She doesn’t deserve to be smeared and bashed. People make mistakes both large and small and we all deserve second chances. To err is human, remember?
My message is to those who have come to know her as a friend over the last few years on Gaia, ePhilospher, and elsewhere: She is still the same caring and sincere person who offered support to you when you were down. I feel she simply let a small infraction of her imagination run to run away with her. Highly intelligent people are often highly imaginative. To the average person, I must live a pretty adventurous lifestyle I suppose. I can understand that if someone who has never done anything remotely adventurous, feels locked inside the mundane and needs to escape. Since she and I have corresponded, I have no reason to feel that she was being malicious in any way. Therefore, I am reaching out on her behalf.
I simply ask that you forgive her, and that she forgives me for ever outing her to begin with. She is tortured by her own mistake more than you know. It is a mistake I am certain she will never make again. I feel that she is a very genuine person of the heart and to burn her at the stake simply because she wished for an adventurous life to spring her from her academic prison every once in a while is a waste of being blessed with getting to know her more. I do realize that forgiveness takes a while after the shock wears thin, and trust may never be regained, but I just ask that you give her another chance.
Marianne
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Reader Comments (4)
The only thing I know of the situation is what I've read here. But, I wanted to say that Marianne, I think you must have an old, wise soul. It is really kind of you to have made this post.
just to let you know that i accidentally posted on your other thread regarding this subject (June) instead of here
For one...you are a wonderful and forgiving person. I actually feel bad for this woman. Makes me wonder what is going on in her life that she felt the need to escape and pretend she is someone she is not. Its good that she contacted you.
I feel very badly for her as well, not only do I forgive something that just seems like mo big deal to me due to the lack of malicious behavior, I want to inspire her to skydive, and partake in any adventure she wishes. I offered to schedule a tandem skydive with her and be there for her first jump, living is what life is about!