Clarice Gargard

20/05/2023

Coming up:

Eus Boekenclub. Sunday May 21, 19:25, NPO2.

Was honored to be one of the first official readers of kindred spirit next book ‘Dat beloof ik’.

A coming of age novel about domestic violence and child abuse. Although obviously harmful behavior to others is always wrong, I particularly liked how it’s not a straightforward story about right and wrong, heroes and victims. How you can’t just leave difficult situations or how you as a victim might reproduce the violence that was done to you. The world is often more complicated when you go deep. And to transform the things we do not want, we must admit that and understand it and ourselves in all of our complexities

Loved talking about it with our book club including Feyenoord trainer Marino Pusic, who invited us to a game (don’t come for me Amsterdammers. I love free things 😭)

Also, shout out to collector Kor (who has over 5000 books???) who wanted a photo and chat with me after reading my book which coincidentally also tackles the topic of duality and morality in times of conflict

Okdoei

P.S.

Here for all the media that want to invite me to more in-depth shows beyond the daily hype ✌🏾

18/04/2023

Honored to have had ‘Het Grote Gesprek’ with moderated by

We talked about positioning. Where do you as a writer, creator, artist place yourself in your work and society and what does it mean?

We talked about how moving through worlds, history and future helps you move through yourself. And about colonialism, guilt, (ecological) grief and displacement, inspired by Adriaans new book Klifi about the post climate apocalypse, kind of reminiscent of Butler’s Parable of the Sower and my book and documentary which we showed some visuals of

It was an interesting, intergenerational, intercultural and interdisciplinary conversation with one of the country’s greatest and most famous writers - who gave a lovely shout out to my book which he proclaimed to have loved reading 🙃✨

I’ve had to think about my work and what it means a lot lately. Recently did a film course (which I’ll post about later) where the current sentence came to me: my work is about new life that requires a certain type of death. Which I expand on in an article soon to be published in an anthology about the future of art and society

But first, you can listen to Het Grote Gesprek (or read the transcript) through link in bio

📸 Marco Swart

04/04/2023

How trauma and politics can coincide

My first bimonthly column for Tijdschrift Conflicthantering is out now (theme: trauma). Following in the footsteps of Marjan Slob whos gone on to become ‘Thinker of Fatherland’. If that’s where this path leadeth, I just might taketh (imagine Clareesi of Fatherland ahem *manifesting*)

Anywho, was glad they asked me cause the literary muscle is flexing again after rest, research and reflection. And this magazine matches the next step in my evolution

Summary
These days everyone talks about trauma - to the point it (admittedly) becomes quite narcissistic. Like the semi supremacist esoteric antiscience movement or those so immersed in their own pain - or pleasure - they don’t see others’

But I do think the personal is political and how understanding who we are and what drives our (unconscious) behavior is crucial for incremental change

We are not just the sum of our identities. But also of our negatives (and positive) experiences and they show up in our lives in unexpected ways

If you’re like me and ‘fight’ is your default, it will get you through life expeditiously - but might also burn you out - as we can’t run on high energy alone. As researchers Akwugo Emejulu and Leah Bassel found when researching European activist groups of color

Also, any kind of progress, be it social, political, economic, ecological cannot come without self awareness. Or else you’re just forcing the vastness of the human existence into (seven) boxes you can check 🙃

There is no true change, if you’re not willing to confront and change yourself - and whatever is holding you back

Or else we’re just reproducing the same system in different ways - which only works in favor of the status quo

As for those who think it’s their job to carry the world on their shoulders at all times, ms. Toni Morrison said it best (which has been my personal mantra these years)

‘Its not possible to constantly hold on to crisis. You have to have the love and you have to have the magic. That is also life.’

Link in bio for full read on

04/03/2023

✨ 3-3-2023 ✨

1/2

Serving Queen CuntSort

Haven’t celebrated my birthday en groupe in a while. The last few years were more intimate, internal and reflective. But decided to go fullblown Pisces for my 35th with two events (not me goin from 0 to a 100? 🥵). But if I’ve learned anything it’s that we have to make this thing called life worthwhile ourselves and with that give others permission to do the same

We started with a meticulously planned castle ‘Victorian Wonderland’ themed birthday dinner. My family and close friends showed up and out. Come on Bridgerton, Alice in Wonderland, Downtown Abbey, Moulin Rouge etc. Even my family dressed up 🥺🌸

Tens across the board for the service, hosting (decolonial Johnny said y’all gotta know whuts up, looking like a juke joint out here) and exquisite cuisine

Thanking my stars for family and friends that put up with my shenanigans and make sure I feel unconditionally supported and loved

Happy birthday to me & happy new beginnings to y’all (this is the start of your new year too)

Category is: abundance, alignment and act a fool cause what even is life

This birthday was cosponsored (i ain’t got it like that y’all) by the fam & my biggest fan big bro 💜🥰

#332023

30/12/2022

2022: high highs and limbo lows, grief and grievances, joy and healing

We shall not call them resolutions, we shall call them revelations: 22 of them to mark the year

Inspired by the incomparable to share

Bonus documentary journey inspired revelation - incorporated in my MLK speech:

Calm down. We are but a drop in the grande scheme of things. But also: Wé. Are. A. Dróp. In. The. Gránde. Scheme. Of. Things.

Wishin you a graceful journey into the new year. Asé 💫💛

27/12/2022

🎄🐈💝🤶🏾✨🤲🏾🙏🏾🍛🤤🤰🏾🧟‍♀️🥲🥵

🆘️

01/12/2022

Whoop, my baby (with many co-parents) is out in the world ✨

Thank you for all of the flowers - be they in words or literal

I share some not to brag, but because when you’ve put your everything into something, it’s balm for your soul when it resonates with others

Particularly cause I so often feel alien, unseen and misunderstood when many in the mainstream engage with my work. Typically missing the craft, layers, labor (whether you hate it or love it) and just engaging on surface level

So ya’ll sending me sincere appreciation and reflection, I appreciate you right back. It’s soothing to be seen by you. Other ways to support:

1. Stream the hell out the doc (link in bio & stories) cause that’s what counts these days

2. As an ‘impact film’ we want to be screening all around the country and globe, so hit my producer up. We also have shorter items diving deeper into each person and topic

3. We’ve had some requests to show the doc for educational purposes. Keep ‘em comin

4. We want to screen on Curaçao and in Suriname as well and have necessary talks around the themes. Particularly in the year of the Great Apology © (🙃). But we need funds and organizations to co-organize. So, politicians, policy and decision makers that be following me in these streets: whuts good?

In other news:

I’ve been blessed with the honor to deliver the Martin Luther King lecture this year on Dec 7th with .toko and others in dialogue. Check out and to register

Will be talking about civil disobedience, the necessity of resistance and imagination and the state of the world. Basically all dem tings that happened that I couldn’t write about but have reflected upon

28/11/2022

Still reeling from the official premiere of A dream. Thankful for everyone that came and

1. The ancestral blessing through Nana Afua (Marian Markelo)

2. The after talk hosted by the one and only (much love) with André Reeder, Zenzy Blindeling and Gina Lafour

4. Almost everyone that contributed, it takes a village. I’m not one of those ‘I did this’ directors. This is óur film

5. A chief Clareesi. Auntie Chris made my outfit and reppin country cloth (🙅🏾‍♀️Friesland Vlisco)

6. .nl for the signs

8. The only review that matters, must have read it 10 times (shout out sowieso even if y’all hated it 😂)

📸 🙏🏾✨

Tonight 28 November 2215 NPO2

I hope you feel seen, loved and invigorated after watching. And that even if you think it’s not about or for you, you understand you are part of the collective and our fates are intertwined

Its been one helluva journey. It might always seem like I know what I’m doing (I most certainly do not!), I just try to follow where I’m being led

Ratings, reviews and accolades aside, if all this does is remind a few of who they are and they pay it forward, my job is done. Asé

22/11/2022

It’s ya cover story

When ‘their eyes were watching God’ meets ‘lemme see your grill’

28 november 2215 NPO2

Nicoline Baartman and I talked about finding new ways to tell stories. Sometimes people are like: ‘as a journalist...writer...etc...you can’t do things this way’. But we don’t have to confine ourselves to the way things have ‘always been done’ and the way others see us

Whether it’s successful or not depends on your definition. To me, succes is already in the attempt - especially when it comes to reimagining

We also talked about inspirations like Black quantum futurism, sankofa and how change occurs

Is it some outside force that gives meaning to change, or are we the ones that decide what change should mean?

Photos by

Cover art by one of the persons in the film, the youngest. So very proud and happy to see you do your thing The circle keeps circling

P.S.

My world premiere last night was litty like a t***y (the kids still say that?) Photos coming soon

LINK IN BIO

13/11/2022

‘But to get to now, to this moment, she needs to look back over the landscape of memory. Lost in memory, the woman faces history. First seen now hinted. And if you look closely through the corridors of time, one can see the feathering of the winds of doves, batting out the beats of hope’ -

Almost at capacity. Get your tickets for or ‘Remember what you forgot’. Link in stories

18 november will be accompanied by an expo and Time Capsule. You don’t wanna miss it

Will I keep spamming you about this? Yes. May you mute me? You may not

Image: 🔮 from awhile back but time is a construct, so let’s say yesterday

Probably the only time I’ll get to breathe near a tho 🤩

09/11/2022

The Woman King & the Queen (see what I did there) attending the Black Panther pre premiere

1. Straight outta Zamunda 😂

4.
asked me if I would cry, at the beginning of the film
Me: abeg, for what?
Also me 10 seconds in what they should rename a Chadwick/T’Challa Tribute and Lessons On How To Grief

5. The audacity to ask me if she could wear her outfit for my premiere to this one. She don’t like peace

07/11/2022

Black joy & empowerment expo The Black Archives]

They said: ‘give a quote in 10 words’ and I couldn’t do it 🥲 now it looks like I’m tryna be all extra and ish

When they asked me what being black, joy and empowerment means to me, I said: embodying all aspects of humanity and divinity and moving beyond arbitrary and derogatory connotations dictated by those outside of yourself, because of something as irrelevant as skin color or ‘race’.

We are all having divine human experiences and reclaiming that which was taken from you (and maybe also what you’ve denied yourself) in order to become who you always have been, is the ultimate act of freedom to me

When your trauma is rampant, your joy becomes resistance

Go and check out the expo The Black Archives]

Photography: Bete Van Meeuwen
Director: Evani Gilds
MUA: Timothy Aarons
Concept: Rudy Asibey
Art Director: Keyhe Delsing
Online Strategy: Charis Richardson
Copywriting: Chloe Heyart

Director of photography: Seretse Fulani
Focuspuller: Yarnell Riley
Gaffer: Adiljo Accord
Geluid: Adiljo en Evani Gilds
Production: Camille Parker, Mitchell Esajas, Jomaira de Souza & Nikita Krouwel
Animaties: Rudy Asibey
Set design: Rudy Asibey
Makeup artist: Tim Aarons

In collaboration with The Black Archives

P.S.

Yes, I know I have baby teeth

03/11/2022

Now look at this awe inspiring poster for my solo debut by 🤲🏾💫

Premiere 21 nov 1930 with

Television: 28 November 2155 NPO2doc

Special impact screening & expo 18 november

Producer
Dop
Research
Tamara Vuurmans, Debora Noordwijk, Isabelle Britto Veica Obispo
editor
Mieneke Kramer, Wies Hundling
Sound & grading
co producers supported by CoBO, Stichting Democratie en Media, VSBfonds en AFK

06/10/2022

We support the fight of women and people in Iran. And we call on the Dutch government to do the same and enforce sanctions (as signed by many in Dutch newspapers)

By now everyone knows a bit more about what’s going on. Don’t want to speak too much on details, as we tend to get lost in them. I want to talk about the implications of standing up to a repressive regime, the sheer force of what we’re seeing by many downtrodden people in a very dangerous situation

I’ve witnessed a lot of protests but not often felt this kind of unrelenting focus. The energy is: We. Shall. Not. Let. Up. It’s like a stampede and mighty forest at the same time. When I talked to one of my loved ones, who is directly affected, they shared how so many have been waiting for this for so long. And that desire has created something that gives me chills

You don’t always know where revolution leads. But like Audre Lorde said it is not a one time event. As it is not just protest, it’s many different things all at the same time. It is not about the individual (altho, the power of Jina, my goodness) but the collective coming together

And there are currently doors and gateways, we can’t even imagine being ripped open, for change to pass through, even if not all of us can or will see it

What do you do? You speak. You support in whichever way you can and feels right to you (!)

We are not just witnessing history, we’re witnessing the future being created

Sign the letter, join the protests on 8th and 16th of October and be inspired to pay forward what has been started by these lions of women that I hope also get to let their hair down at some point and exhale. Link in bio ♥️✨🤲🏾

P.S.
Abeg no fighting in my comments and I shall also not argue with you. We have bigger fish to fry nah. Smooches 😽

27/09/2022

Black Pride (June/July) 2022

Was fiiireee

We honored the ancestors with black q***r presence so often denied in spaces where we were the center, grinded for freedom, played, expressed and healed together ifa style. Yah, Pride is protest but it’s also living life so well, it’s a protest in itself

Besides the bliss, it was still tough with a lot going on. Many often underestimate what it takes to organize and build from nothing and how much effort goes into to making things look effortless

So we’ll be putting out vacancies soon so you can find out and put your energy where your mouth is. Watch the socials

Forever thankful for our team on and offline .osoria.roque and volunteers 💙

01/09/2022

Tired of always talking in circles against injustice and inhumane politics. Outrage, clicks, likes, shares, rinse and repeat, ‘dame mas gasolina’. So I stopped doing it (and the outrage addicted likes stopped too, my oh my)

How, I’ve asked myself, can we actually transform violent systems? How do we move beyond conflict and towards change? What does justice actually look like?

At Lilith we spoke with Jasmyn Elise, someone I admire a lot, about their restorative and transformative justice practice

‘Restorative justice examines the damage that has been done and looks at the needs of the parties involved. On the basis of this, ways are devised to arrive at a solution.’

But what if someone isn’t able to take account for their actions? What if a victim wants revenge and not peace?

If you know me and my work a little, you’ll know my politics are clear but I embrace complexity. This often confuses those who seek judgement from me or wish to judge me. How can you be against violence and oppression but still see humanity in all? Or how can one be radical yet nuanced and emphatic?

Cause I don’t believe in heroes or villains. The ‘alle mensen deugen’ - evangelie is a gross oversimplification of humanity but so is the villainous one

We’re all capable of great love and great harm. I do believe in harmful systems, wrongdoing and consequences and think I’ve finally learned how to balance all my beliefs (butterfly & the blade)

My experience of being harmed by systems, strangers but also those I love - and having harmed and learned in return - taught me to hold multiple truths yet see my own clearer

This is the dichotomy of being human. If we deny that, we do not see each other or ourselves at all. And there is no hope for justice or change

Looking forward to diving into the complexities of justice more. With less outrage and more depth

LINK IN BIO

21/06/2022

Don’t usually do this butta when the fam asks you to pull up, you pull up

Just like Juneteenth is a national holiday, Keti Koti needs to be one too for the Dutch kingdom (altho the fact there’s even still a kingdom sha?). There is no moving forward without knowing, acknowledging and commemorating what has past. Some would even say past, present and future are irrevocably intertwined 🔮

I’m a zzp’er and my ancestors future dream, so I’ve decided to give myself free. But it would be dope if the system would comply with what was decreed. And maybe then we can talk about abolishing all outdated and extractive systems whilst ushering in the new 💫

Ik neem vrij op 1 juli, omdat 1 juli (of wel Keti Koti of Dia di Abolishon) een nationale herdenkings- en feestdag moet worden, waarop we vrij zijn. Om de afschaffing van de slavernij te herdenken en de vrijheid te vieren. De gevolgen van het koloniale verleden werken nog altijd door in het heden. Maar na bijna 150 jaar is 1 juli nog steeds niet officieel erkend. Samen kunnen we dit veranderen. Doe mee, neem ook vrij, totdat we allemaal vrij zijn. En deel een foto van jezelf met



Check www.ikneemvrijop1juli.nl voor meer info

13/05/2022

Beetje awkward verzoek, maar voor mijn documentaire op zoek naar beelden van mij bij protesten.

Heb je iets? Mail dan naar [email protected]

Dank!

28/04/2022

Would say happy Kingsday but I support Khaleesidom so

Bonaire has been treating me well, although the hands of slavery, colonialism and evironmental violence are everywhere. Went to the slave huts and the accompanying info actually called enslaved women carrying salt they almost died collecting ‘mermaid workers’. Obvi black women are magical but that’s a helluva Fyre festival rebrand

Anyway, according to and I’m finally getting thick like my bad gyal idol so....you’re welcome

Also, always take what Toni says to heart

🌺🌊🧜🏾‍♀️

26/03/2022

🌈💯 More Seef Spees 💯🌈

Lees vandaag regisseur met actrice en comedian en hoofdredacteur in VPRO Gids en et moi in de VARA Gids

More supa d**a fly to come komende dagen met onze regisseurs



Schrijvers

En acteurs o.a.



Zijn we van plan jullie te spammen into submission? Oh ja zeker, maar dat mag allemaal 😌

25/03/2022

'Humor of ernst?
‘Veel mensen denken dat ik niet grappig ben. Maar ik ben fu***ng grappig! Ik begrijp het wel, hoor. Ze kennen mij als columnist bij NRC die over serieuze thema’s schreef: sociale ongelijkheid, racisme, klimaatverandering en (anti-)kapitalisme. Maar als je lang midden in een maatschappelijk debat zit, wordt dat op een gegeven moment te veel. Ik wil niet meer continu op de barricaden staan. Het is ook vermoeiend om jezelf steeds maar weer te herhalen.

‘Anderhalf jaar geleden hadden Hasna El Maroudi en ik Nederland, we moeten het hebben over racisme voor de VPRO gemaakt. Daarvoor voerden we een serie gesprekken. Dat was interessant en het werd goed bekeken, maar we zagen het niet zitten om het alleen maar over theorie of trauma’s te hebben. We dachten: hoe kunnen we het onderwerp ook leuk maken voor onszelf?'

Wat zijn dit voor vragen? Naar aanleiding van het satirische sketchprogramma Seef Spees zeven dilemma’s voor bedenker, programmamaker en publicist ...

25/03/2022

It’s been ages since I did an interview (cause in true millennial style *I do not wish to be perceived* but also *look at me twirl daddy*). But anything for

In on all things Seef Spees. Why we created this hybrid, hilarious, disturbing, dark, borderline offensive, society mirroring monster. Spoiler: because we need comedic relief and commentary!

LINK IN BIO FOR FULL INTERVIEW!

Very important to note that this show is a monstrous experiment, made non hierarchically and carried by everyone (which made things helluva difficult at times 🥲). But I love how we came together from so many different places, expertises and viewpoints agreed and disagreed but still worked it out. And created a lot with a little within our own little as safe as possible space. Cause the thing is, we can’t do none of this s**t alone. Nor should you want to

So shout out to all crew and actors and the twisted Avengers dream team




We in this together. But I will most definitely safe myself and sacrifice when 💩 *wink wink* hits the fan

Anyway, read, watch, laugh, learn, cry. But mostly watch 28 maart npo3 21:25

P.S.
Big up Abel Boermans for the interview. And Frank Ruiter for making me Vivian Maier Helmut Newton hawwtt. Yesss niece 🧚🏾

24/03/2022

Since the pandemic and my trials (😷🤢) I’ve been thinking of the myth of perfection. And how much we ask of ourselves and each other (those who want change). We’ll be like:

Wow they do amazing things that endanger their life for the collective but said this one thing I don’t agree with so now they must die lmfaooo?
Oh no, they don’t agree with me on everything. Oh no, they get mad and mean and bitchy sometimes. Oh no, they don’t get mad, mean and bitchy. Oh no, they did this one thing in all the systemic effed up ness of centuries this is the thing I cannot forgive. And I decide cause I’m the judge, juror and executioner of everything that is just, good and righteous, though I work for the Belastingdienst, am anonymous online and totally can’t confront my problematic uncle

I’ve always been hard on myself as well. Wanting to do everything right can also be about creating (fake) safety, when all you’ve known has been the opposite

But now it’s just kind of amusing. Cause: who are you and why you like this? (not retorical). Second: imagine focusing all that energy on yourself?

Punity and punishment never changed anything. Hence, current state of affairs. Maybe we should try compassion and care (which doesn’t exclude critique) on for size. Not kumbaya hippie forgiveness. We are not potato people. You can be the butterfly and the blade (look at me 😌)

Been researching things like restorative and transformative justice and what bringing about lasting change means. Maybe for an article or series, not sure yet. But things don’t have to be perfect before you share (me to me)

said; no amount of self discipline can correct others projection. The lie anxiety tells me is that if I know what will happen, I will be safe. But you cannot anticipate outcome. Being alive is an exercise in ambiguity

So be ambiguous, dahlins ✨

Sidenote: interesting how I lost hundreds of followers since I stopped debating every political issue and taking more care. Some of ya’ll really don’t like to see us live huh 🤡

21/03/2022

Co-founder Clarice Gargard gaf samen met hoofdgast Claudia de Breij de Jan Terlouw-lezing 2021 over verandering en vooruitgang. Je kunt die van Clarice op Lilith lezen en beluisteren. De bundel met beide verhalen kun je hier kopen

“Cabaretier Claudia de Breij overziet de structurele problemen waar Nederland voor staat, veroorzaakt door politici met gebrek aan visie. Het is makkelijk om daar cynisch van te worden, want je zíét het fout gaan. Maar cynisme brengt ons niets.
Duospreker Clarice Gargard betwijfelt in haar lezing of de huidige machthebbers de existentiële crises die zij zelf mede hebben veroorzaakt, nog wel kunnen oplossen. Ze pleit voor een nieuw, socialer systeem.”

‘Dit is wat je moet onthouden. Het einde van het ene verhaal is slechts het begin van een ander. Dit is immers al eerder gebeurd. Mensen sterven. Oude maatschappijen gaan voorbij. Nieuwe samenlevingen worden geboren. Als we zeggen “de wereld is geëindigd”, is dat meestal een leugen.

Maar zo eindigt de wereld

Dit is hoe de wereld eindigt

Dit is hoe de wereld eindigt

Voor de laatste keer.’

Intro -

08/03/2022

‘I am a womans rights’. These were the actual words of Sojourner Truth. Because we don’t just have rights, they are within us from the day we’re born

Gender is a construct anyway, we are all varying variables of masculine and feminine throughout our lifetimes. Like Simone de Beauvoir said ‘one is not born, but rather becomes a woman’

Honestly don’t understand why we need to call ourselves anything and then apply rules to it? Very very cringe. I will say, there should be more room for the divine (and sometimes deadly) feminine which lies within us all, in this very masculine dominated world *gestures at everything*

Anyway, how can I make this more about me? (It’s my Instagram after all, who else should it be about)

Swipe for more vacay🔥 Ok thanks bye 😽

P.S.
this is not an Adidas ad (I don’t do ads, this is why I am occasionally broqué). I do however still find it so rude I have to pay for things

03/03/2022

Happy Solar Return To Me 💫 34 💫

The last few years have been an ongoing cycle of darkness and grief but so many lessons

I've learned that self care is not just about buying yourself flowers but consistently fulfilling your own needs which for me means taking breaks when you need (and trying to not feel too much guilt and shame when doing so in a nouveau riche but kinda trashy luxury resort your brother hooked you up with, shout out )

And saying no to doing things you dont want. Not thinking that it's your job to carry the world or fix everyone's problems. Stop feeling guilty for surviving and stop thinking that being 'good' means suffering and having your boundaries crossed so often you don't even know where they or you are anymore

And also being aware of when you are the as***le cause it's so easy to point out others toxicity and miss your own
•
Choosing you is the highest form of love because you show others that they are worth being chosen by themselves as well. And that any form of separation is an illusion in the first place

I thought it weird to indulge myself while the world collapses. But isn't it ironic that embodying you is just that which gives you the power to build the world anew?

As I'm still learning to move through grief and joy (basically life) simultaneously, I'm telling that little girl that had no idea what was coming (spoiler alert: war, desolation, trauma) that we will go far and eventually no longer accept things that do not reflect our innate worth nor feel the need to proof it, and that it's all because of her and the many lives she lived and shall live

Not me being all 🔮on my birthday

P.S.
Also learning to let go of incapacitating self doubt (not self awareness). Just because others limit themselves and don't understand your magic (because they can’t see their own) doesn't mean it ain't the realest and illest s**t you ever did see

P.P.S.
Merci for all the well wishes, fam

#❤️