Name

Parker Van Noord

Agency

DNA

Birthplace

Amsterdam

How did the onset of this year’s public health crisis change your outlook on life and/or work?

It’s such a strange time, and I realized how much I love the unity we form during work. I think within an industry it’s quite rare that so many people have such an understanding or interest for each other. Otherwise, this break has given me the time to do so many different things and to be with my sweet mom, sister, and little brother which makes me really happy. 

The public health climate has shaped many peoples’ reading/viewing habits— What are some reading or viewing material you’ve sought out in this time?

A friend of [mine] wired me to this really big drive full of great movies. I’ve been watching American Gigolo, Mystery Train, Badlands, and documentaries such as Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love about Leonard Cohen and Nick Caves’ 20,000 days on earth. For books, I’d say Philip Roth’s Nemesis, Life & Times of Michael K by John Maxwell Coetzee, and Cormac McCarthy’s Suttree.

 What have you learned (or what do you think people can learn) while in solitude/practicing social distancing? 

I learned how much satisfaction I get from doing physical things. I have been learning many new things about wood construction and I think that sense of learning something unknown really resembles an opportunity of this time. I think that doing something so different also gives a big appreciation for usual, daily work.

 What’s the first thing you’re going to do after coming out of quarantine? 

I wish I could see some concerts!

What is your stance on the current state of affairs in the US regarding the BLM movement, protests, and police brutality?

I can’t imagine that even after all these years people are yet capable of limiting their own life by vowing or discriminating an opinion based on someone’s skin color. Seeing how such hate finds its expression in the killing of George Floyd gives me a very cruel and grey feeling. That act alone should warn every single racist, as it is a collateral belief that amounts up to such doing. Even here in The Netherlands, I notice a deep institutionalized racism, which seems to be justified by big entities, companies, and their job application forms. Coming from a small village I have always been aware of racism and it is painful to me that some people have not had enough experience with the world to form a different opinion. As we form such a powerful global unity, I hope that this movement reaches deeper roots in civilization and spreads information as we deliver a clear message. And not only in western countries! 

Are you taking part in the movement? If so, how?

I try to educate myself and spread information in my network. I’d recommend watching Everything Must Fall about students in South Africa.