Paradijsvogels, interview with news paper Parool and Humans of Amsterdam
“It’s my act of resistance. At school I was bullied so I was always making myself as small and invisible as possible. At home things weren’t much better so I was miserable, and for a long time, I didn’t think I’d make it past eighteen.
I came out in my third year of high school. Shortly after, I was placed in foster care. That’s when I realized I’d rather die being true to myself than live a life hiding who I am.
Since then, I have worn whatever I want and live unapologetically as myself. Roller skating is part of that, it helps me connect my body and mind. But it’s also a way of rebelling against all those social norms. What does it even mean to exist ‘the right way’? What’s normal, and who decides what’s strange?
Amsterdam has always been a haven for free spirits or birds of paradise as we say in Dutch Paradijsvogels. People often tell me about the string skater Henry who skated around the city in his thong for years. In recent years he skated less and less because he was often harassed. That makes me really sad.
I’ve experienced it too. Sometimes it’s just dirty looks, but sometimes it’s physical. Not long ago, a boy on a fatbike kicked me behind the knees. That kind of thing is becoming more common. It’s horrible but it won’t stop me from skating freely through the city.
We are losing our colors. Slowly we’re turning into one boring blend of beige. That’s why I see it as my spiritual mission to wear color. To be fully myself and to invite all the free spirited birds of paradise to return to their natural habitat.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DLhH6dVowno/?igsh=dm1vZDVvbDVkdnhk
https://www.instagram.com/p/DLhTEVkNkDT/?igsh=eHhnNnR1Zm15Y3Rs
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