Oxfordgirl's avatar

Colonel Pessian
AA 1-441 First lieutenant Mohammad Taqi Khan Pessian
Courtesy: The Institute for Iranian Contemporary Historical Studies (IICHS) Copyrigth © 2008 IICHS. All Rigths Reserved
The reproduction of articles is free by announcing the resource. Designed by RayanKaveh co. Source: http://www.iichs.org/index_en.asp?id=1680&img_cat=104&img_type=0

ON TWITTER and in the midst of the Iranian people's movements, there is an interesting communicator called @oxfordgirl. S/he is presenting her bio on twitter in this way: "I'm a writer, a literary agent and have a consultancy that helps writers with their books, plays and film scripts. In my spare time I dabble in politics."
Her picture (avatar) is an edited version of Colonel Pessian, this is not presented explicitly in the profile. However, reference to the Colonel has emerged but only a few places in the tweats and dialogues with others: "...There has never been a hero like the Colonel #IranElection" (about 9 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to NN. (Accessed 11 July 2009.)

FOLLOWING. I have followed oxfordgirl (and also the persiankiwi and others) since the (flawed) election results were announced in June 2009. I was immediately struck by the particular gestalt, a personal voice mediated via the Colonel avatar and also the sometimes shifting aestetic background of this profile site hinting to literary and historic references and beauty of the Persian past.

A COLONEL FROM PERSIAN HISTORY. Who was this colonel, I've wondered. And why would this oxfordgirl choose a hero colonel for #Iranelection current twittering? I searched for various persian colonels but were not sure and did not find the right photo either. Today I eventually hit upon the right colonel since his name was used in a twitter dialogue, oxfordgirl with NN. Visiting NN I found the Colonel's name, at last:

"@oxfordgirl Amazing that you know Colonel Pessian. Our history is amazing indeed. Many ppl stood up against oppressors #IranElection"

According to Wikipedia, Colonel Mohammad Taqi-Khan Pessian (1892 - 3 October 1921) (also Colonel Pessian or Pesyan "Pesseyan"), born in Tabriz, was a popular military leader of Iran.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel_Pesian

According to an article in IICHS, "During world War one and invasion of Iran by other powers, his bravery in Mosalla battle became known to all. He went to Germany to attend a course of aviation. He returned to Iran and was sent to Khorassan as the head of Gendarmerie. Following Seyyed Zia's coup and the formation of the new government, he was on mission to arrest Ahmad Qavam. He confiscated his properties and sent him to Tehran under guard himself became the acting governor of Khorassan."
"Colonel Pessian was a brave man; at the time of death, he was only thirty years old. He was devoted to Persian literature and music. He has let some poems, translations and articles behind."

DOUBLE MAGIC. So there I guess are the roots of double inspiration - brave (& probably just) fighting for Persia and an art-maker including translating literature. A crossover figure familiar with several cultures and with believable personality.

However, it is more to this reuse of a historic figure, the colonel Pessian, as an avatar for a brave actor-networker in the current people opposition against the flawed election and for a more people-grounded governance. Notice the way oxfordgirl is twittering. What is interesting is for example that @oxfordgirl in fact do not defend violent opposition, s/he is recurrently speaking against violence... in spite of violent basij she insists on not using the same means back.

SOME TWITTER EXAMPLES (*reaccessed 11.7.2009):
1) @jim1010 he is an old dying man, nothing can be achieved by violence against him. Not sure he will survive much longer #iranelection (about 13 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to jim1010).
2) The events of last few weeks have transformed image of Iran in the world, they have seen a noble & heroic ppl not terrorists.
#Iranelection (about 14 hours ago from TweetDeck).
3) @Bergen2 a wonderful generation of young ppl prepared to die for freedom and justice. #iranelection (about 14 hours ago from TweetDeck in reply to Bergen2).
3) This movement is such an example to the world. Calm and dignity and sacrifice #iranelection
4) Hate will not win this battle, only love of a country and its ppl #iranelection
5) We must learn from history, enemy of my enemy is not always my friend. #iranelection #iranelection Beware those wnt 2 use Green 2 grab power (about 15 hours ago from TweetDeck).
6) No 1 in Sea of Green has any intention of killing Mullahs or anyone . Pray that U nevr have 2 take the life of another human #Iranelection (about 15 hours ago from TweetDec).
7) @oxfordgirl recently shared this reflection: "RT @justtash71: Heroes are not born they are created in times of need #iranelection So true.! " (about 15 hours ago from TweetDeck).