Photos and Article by: Daiyu Tang
A regular feature until my graduation on some of the free spirits, punks and goths in Hathian. Those with styles that aren’t defined by any expectation but their own and where their impact resonates through the changed perceptions they can bring via an alternative outlook. You can check out Dita (here) as our most recent ‘full’ article.
‘Cliv’
As I met with a new front page Hathian alternative I was pleased. It was good to see new people and meet them, maybe understand a bit but also help you, our great readers, know more about who is out there and what they do. So, our next interview was with Cliv, or more formally ‘Clivia’.
I introduced myself and found that Cliv was a fan, she had read the article on Dita and had made her mind up to be next. It takes courage to put yourself in front of a lens and answer my questions. So not only was I grateful, I was also respectful of her time and her decision.
Observer: “So, you look fairly unique, I love the outfit and the boots especially. So what’s your short summary – the elevator pitch?”
Cliv: “I’m the petite shithead that gets what I want despite not fitting the mould…”
To be honest we also talked about dating and boys and girls and Cliv had views there as well, but her starting point… a ‘petite shithead’ – that’s a sales pitch.
Observer: “Ok, so why… besides being that don’t we start a bit with a little about who you are, what you do and then perhaps, why is it important to you that you’re in the driving seat even if that means doing things differently?”
Clivia: “Ok. I’m Clivia Sanko. People like to call me trouble, but I just call it survivin’. I work for the Barracuda Bar in Laveau as a bouncer and a security guard at the Stillwater asylum. I also sell some natural products on my own time. Doing my own thing? That ain’t a choice, it’s necessity. I spent too long letting other people tell me what I’m worth. Out here? If you don’t grab the wheel, someone else’ll drive you straight off a fuckin’ cliff. I do things my way ‘cause it’s the only way I stay real. Even if I fuck up, at least it’s mine. That matters. That means something.”
Destination… Unknown?
Observer: “So what’s your driving then… you’ve taken your wheel, your own road and now you’re motoring along… what for? Where’s the destination and who’s in the way?”
I wanted to find out what made Cliv tick, the tattoo (image above) was serious and creepy and it spoke to a third eye being open above a not quite human skull. I took it deeply, but perhaps Cliv could explain a little more and help me understand without directly asking.
Cliv: “Destination? I don’t think I got a clear map yet, not really. It’s survival first, then maybe… redemption? Not the holy kind, just… proving I can be something different than what I was built into. I want control. Respect. Power, yeah, but not to crush, just to never be under someone’s boot again. And who’s in the way? Anyone who thinks I still belong to my past. That includes my demons, some people who used to be friends and anyone’s getting in my family’s way. If they can’t handle me now? They better get the fuck outta my lane.”
Observer: “Respect and Power… but gathered in a way perhaps differently to those with the six pack or the bimbo rack? If you might, tell me something, a fact, or a story about when you managed to do that, or how being you has played out positively before? Think of it as telling Hathian that you can be different, but still be on top… without violence that is first order for some common people… Right?”
Cliv: “Once, I flipped an entire deal without lifting a finger, just stood there, calm, confident, let ’em talk themselves into checkmate. Respect don’t always come from force. Sometimes it’s in the way you carry yourself when everything’s burning around you and you still don’t flinch. That’s my power, I don’t need to fit the mould. I built my own. Being different ain’t a weakness, not if you own it harder than anyone else in the room.”
“People think power’s just about muscle or noise, but I’ve walked into rooms where I didn’t need to raise my voice or throw a punch to own the space. Being underestimated is my weapon.”
Cliv
Observer: “So that’s great, I love it. Being underestimate is a talent, weapon and everything. So my final question now, I can see that ‘all black’ logo on your cute jeans. So… what does your fashion mean to you? How is your dress… you?”
Cliv: “All black everthin’… it’s like a second skin I built when I didn’t know how else to protect myself. Black hides the mess, the bruises, the nights I didn’t sleep, the moments I wanted to disappear. But at the same time, it shows strength: it’s clean, sharp, untouchable… even when I feel anything but. I guess it’s my way of saying ‘I’m still here,’ even when I don’t have the words. When you come from nothing, you wear your story on your back, in your scars, and in how you show up. Dressing like this, it helps me feel like I’m in control, like maybe I /am/ someone, even when I feel lost.”
Cliv is available at Barracuda’s if you want to meet with her ((cliviasanko)).
As a reminder, are you thinking a bit different? Then reach out and be our next profiled Citizen. Or should I say free soul?
