just a bit more about sabia

Wednesday evening the news broke that Sabia Engizek had lost her child. Our WhatsApp group exploded and everywhere it was ‘breaking news’. For months there had been rumors about who she might be pregnant with and there were even serious questions about whether she was actually pregnant at all.

My job is writing. Well, a bit more than that, but the basis is telling stories. My writing self immediately wanted to express my feelings which resulted in a strong piece.

Our visitor numbers skyrocketed, we received a lot of likes on Facebook, but then... Then came so many angry reactions. Angry reactions, hurt people, comments directed at me.

Those who throw the ball can expect it back and if you write a piece with an opinion, some people will like you very much and others... terribly. But with this message, I apparently overestimated my ironic ability quite a bit. What I tried to describe with a big wink turned out to be a total failure.

And if you are very honest, show news-related articles don't really fit on Amayzine. Unless it's about Peter Jan Rens of course, but then you also mention someone.

I decided to take the post offline. Suppose indeed that Sabia really lost her child. Then it is not exactly kind what I wrote from woman to woman. Away with it, I thought.

“Taking something offline is the dumbest thing you can do.” I could still add that. These were the words of the director of Vice, our commercial sales partner. Thijs has been excelling in good sites for years and I always listen very carefully to him. “You have to stand behind your story.” But maybe I don't stand behind it... Well, I do stand behind my own piece, but apparently people don't read it the way I intended.

“Then you should say that honestly.” So here it is. I turn out to be no second Albert Verlinde (I don't aspire to that either) and also no second Nico Dijkshoorn (that can't be, there is only one of him). I want to entertain people with Amayzine and the last thing I want is for people to feel hurt. That piece, that will stay offline. And I'm going to write again about things that you find more palatable. About buying shoes and so on...