Lifestyle
For the lives that we love, and everything that comes with it.
Don't Judge a Dog Before You Know Them
Pitbulls: man's best friend, just another animal, or the enemy? Pitbulls are the most misunderstood breed of dog. American Pitbull Terrier — this is one of the many names of the Pitbull. Pitbulls have a bad reputation but not all pitbulls are as bad as people say. Because of all the negativity about pitbulls, people are scared of them. Pitbulls should not be judged before you get to know them. Pitbulls are now being put to sleep because of their bad reputation. And people who say that this breed is the worst breed a person could have has never had a pitbull as a pet.
By Bianca Johnson8 years ago in Petlife
We Need to Face Uncomfortable Truths. Top Story - November 2017.
Dear Male Reader, I have a question for you: Why do you hate me? Sometimes I feel like everyone hates me because they keep saying it was my fault. My fault for having decided to go out alone, or my fault for the length of the skirt I decided to wear, or even my fault for that one too many drinks I had. The blame is even worse if what happened to me was done by my intimate partner (being him a boyfriend or a husband). That's due to this weird "common sense" understanding that if I agreed to be in a relationship with that man, I automatically deserve everything that comes out of it, after all, it was my choice. Please, I can't understand, why do you hate me? Why am I to blame if it I wasn't the one to perpetrate the assault? Just stop and reflect for a moment, how can it be my choice to be sexually violated? My choices regarding personal fashion, alcohol consumption habits, and social circles are not synonymous with choosing to be harassed. No one ever put that power in my hands. But you male reader, like to put the fault on my shoulders when the ugly truth is that the only choice that mattered on the occasion of the violence I suffered was that of the man who did it. He was the only one who chose when and how would he abuse me. And I'm sorry to say it male reader, but you are the one who gave him that power. Because you as a part of our current social structure constantly reinforce that I, as a woman, am the frail sex but contradictorily you lash out with so much judgment when I am weak and vulnerable. Isn't that exactly how you want me to be? The damsel in distress is the role that is forced upon me. You must understand that even though it's very entertaining to play as the male hero in a video game going on a quest to save the princess, this brings the exact opposite of safety to real women. Because malicious men take advantage of our vulnerability, being it emotional or physical, to say an extremely invasive and inconvenient comment about our bodies, to grab our butts at a party, to decoy us of a cab ride home once we're tipsy, to shove us into a dark corner, to force us into unwanted sexual acts in our own homes. And they feel like they have the authority to do all these dreadful things because our pop culture is unceasingly putting us in a role of utmost submission. We DID NOT choose for such things to happen to us! So I ask you: why has the word "molested" become synonymous to "dirty"? Why is it me that has to live in shame with the label "raped" stamped on my forehead, when no one even mentions my aggressor? Moreover, why do you never allow me to speak about it? You need to stop taking away my voice because sexual violence is a very real social problem. I guarantee it has happened to someone close to you, dear male reader, maybe to a friend, a work colleague, a sister, cousin or aunt, maybe even to your own mother or wife, but you don't know about it because this woman lives mortified in the shame that you put on her, to the point that she doesn't dare speak up about what happened to her.
By Lena Marques8 years ago in Viva
A Letter to New Moms
Where was my time? What had I been doing all day? I thought this as I sat on the couch slumped in a heap. I reminisced on my day with a groggy mind. Diapers, diapers, diapers, feedings, feedings, feedings, laundry, laundry, and more laundry. I wanted to do so much more than just those things today. I was motivated to get dressed in an effort to not stay in the house all day.
By Nothing New8 years ago in Families
Life Is Truly Simple
Seasons of the Navajo showcases an interview, a year in the life of Dorothy and Chauncey Neboia, an elderly Navajo couple and their extended family who live on the vast Navajo Reservation. The Navajos see life as a communal effort, being there for one another and taking care of their common goods to the best of their abilities, while utilizing the minimal resources they have at hand.
By Simply Soly8 years ago in Families
Happy 24th Birthday, Mom
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday dear mom, Happy Birthday to you. Usually we sing this beloved song to someone celebrating a birthday and while my birthday is coming up on November 30th, I'll be singing that song to somebody else... my birthmom.
By Irina Lessne8 years ago in Families
7 Things to Never Say to a Survivor of Sexual Assault
1. "I'm not like him/her." We know, or at least we think we know. If we thought you were, you wouldn't be having the opportunity to tell us you aren't. However, there is always a part of us wondering if you are like them, if you're exactly like the predator that transformed us into what the rest of society deems as "victims." If you're really not like them, don't say you're not, show us you're not.
By Kimberly Duff8 years ago in Viva
The Lessons I've Learned from Having Women as Friends
The other day, I was thinking about all my past relationships—either romantic ones, from work, friendships, or family. And I realized something: the most real relationships I've had were with other women. More than that, I've learned so many valuable lessons from them.
By Carolina Carvalho8 years ago in Viva
