Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Viva.

A Change of Heart
I am officially a drop out, and I’m in love and proud of it! The day I walked out of Morgan State University was one of the best days of my life. Followed by many, many, many bad days that I had no idea would come. The sun was shining so bright. It was a hot June day back in 2007, and I was in love. Oh, the lies love tells us. The lies love had told me. I stood outside the electrical engineering building full of hope and relief. No more homework assignments to do. No more late nights. No more early mornings, and that was alright with me. I began walking across the steaming parking lot to my red SUV. As I lightly skipped there a classmate called my name. It was Ifeanyi, my dear college friend. He approached me with a smile on his face. “What up Ify?”, I said playfully. “Nothing much, where you are going, don’t we have class?” “You sure do”, I replied. He cut his eye at me and walked past. “Skipping class again Dawn?”. “I sure am, see you at the party!”. I watched him go in the building as I made my way to my vehicle. I never saw Ifeanyi again.
By D.A. Rowley4 years ago in Viva
Words Heard, Words Read
When it comes to the social status quo, everything's a mess. According to media females are supposed to act one way, while males are to act another way. Females were taught to be nice, wear pretty clothes, put on makeup, and to “respected the man”. Males were taught to play sports, lift weights, don’t cry, and to act tough. However, none of these “traits” are found in every male of female. Some men are not tough, while some women lift weights. All men cry and not all women are going to “respect the man”. Whether, they were taught through music, family, or videos, the lessons learned don’t need to be taught anymore. In this essay I argue that the music I listen, the stories I’ve read, and the videos I’ve watched has shaped my views on sexuality and helped develop my personal and social identity.
By Kay M4 years ago in Viva
A Life of Not-So Secret Secrets
I’ve reached a point in my life where I want to spill the tea on so many things, not because I’m a gossip, but because I see how keeping quiet about the difficult truth is actually hurting others. There are so many things you are told not to talk about because it will hurt your employability or just generally society will consider you a pariah. I never fit in, not anywhere, not really. I grew up in a misogynistic, religious town and read graphic news stories about women and children being murdered by men repeatedly in the same hometown. Some of the kids even went to my school. One story made it all the way to Oprah, but not all of them. Not all women and children were murdered, most were hit and bruised and cussed out. Many others were told how fat and ugly and worthless they were. They were the same people I saw at church every Sunday. Unsurprisingly, there was also a drug and alcohol problem in my town. I saw friends and family negatively impacted by it. You may be reading this and saying, “So what? It’s the same story in my hometown. Deal with it.” I don’t think dealing with it is the solution. I would much rather have children grow up in a world where the people causing all of the harm were the ones getting therapy and not the ones being abused. That would be a nice change of pace.
By Jennifer Thomas4 years ago in Viva
Anthology of Ancient Heroines Part 3
Who was she and what did she accomplish? Disclaimer: This is a dramatization of a true story. The year is 1678 and it is a beautiful, sunny day in a secluded mountain village in Brazil. The village is made up of a free community of people who have escaped slavery and persecution from the plantations in the valley below them. "Dandara, Dandara, are you there?"
By Jennifer Thomas4 years ago in Viva
The Perfect Date Preference
Planning the perfect date can be challenging leave alone dating in general. Ontop of the already stressful task, there is the ongoing pandemic. Traditional dating skills/format, rules, and techniques seem to have flown out the window, the moment COVID-19 reached USA soil. People are scared to go outside, leave alone mingle and socialize in a crowded place. Dating has become quite the challenge, not to mention meeting new people in general. I recently found myself in the dating predicament, in the midst of a pandemic. All my fun, favorite, hanging-out spots have closed down or have limitations on operational hours. The only location I can think of that is still functioning at 75% capacity is downtown Houston. The scenery in downtown Houston has always been Breath-taking, and night life is to die for. But since the pandemic, all that has changed. It is so unusual for the streets to be so silent, yet extremely rewarding at the same time. Houston being home of the Astros, Rockets, and Texans, the usual traffic to and from downtown now seem so foreign. I do not remember the last time I drove past NRG Stadium and Minute Maid for a long period of hours stuck in traffic. The drive to downtown is now less than 30mins, something that used to be 2hr maximum. The traditional football games, basketball games, and any major patriotic celebrations no-longer fill the streets of downtown. I can easily grab a quick bite with friends and companions without feeling the usual agony of driving to downtown.
By Pam Zee4 years ago in Viva
Les is More
So many people in our lives become acquaintances. We may smile and wave at each other. We may exchange pleasantries. It’s nice to have such people around. It’s even more special when we can truly call someone a friend. Les (Lesley Anne Weatherdale) is someone easy to befriend. Not only does her smile make me want to smile back, but she is also intelligent, kind, and generous. I am so honored that I can call Les a friend.
By Julie Lacksonen4 years ago in Viva
Sleep & Your Cycle
Just like your skin and your energy levels, your sleep patterns change throughout the menstrual cycle. While it can feel like your energy and sleep are shifting forever without any sort of pattern, you can (and should) sync your cycle with your sleep self-care! In this post, we’ll break down the whys of each sleep change and tips that support the rest you need and deserve.
By Emily the Period RD4 years ago in Viva
THERE IS A GLOVE THAT IS MEANT FOR ALL OF US… DO YOU KNOW YOURS? #BODYTYPE
How many of you all were glued to that showroom window when you saw that dress the mannequin was wearing? But all your dreams came down crashing as you tried it on and realized that it looked awful! But why? Because it didn’t suit your body type.
By Junction store4 years ago in Viva
With Class & Grace
Hey beautiful how are you doing? Have you eaten? Have you drank your 8 liters today? If not take a little sip right now. I’ll wait. I’m checking in on you, just in case no one has. Tired mamma? Yes i know it takes a village to raise a thriving little one. It’s hard to make the healthiest choices, because Panera’s bread bowls call your name like a drunk best friend after a break-up. Or when you go to Wendy’s for a salad but the picture of the bacon pretzel bun double cheese burger tells you it’ll hug you from the inside and then you end up regretting it middle of the night when the call of nature hits or early in the morning and your already late.
By VC. Wolfe4 years ago in Viva
There Is Nothing Wrong with Me
I have always been fat. Ever since I can remember, I have been the victim of the last socially acceptable prejudice in Western culture. Whether it was a neighbor telling me that I was shapeless or my mom telling me that I would look better in a dress if only I would lose some weight, my size has always been a topic of conversation. Oh, and then there was the boy at school who once implied that I was physically incapable of walking a few blocks because I was heavy.
By Joy Nelson4 years ago in Viva
4 Upsetting Things I Wish Men Never Did to Women
When I was 17, I believed I hated men. I would never marry them, I felt like the chance of meeting a kind man worthy of my love was too slim to even count, and I held on to so many grudges from my past that I could choke on them.
By Denisa4 years ago in Viva
How To Make Him Miss You Badly
Attention all single, dating and married women…Are you missing out on the LOVE, Passion, and Connection that you deserve? Take this 60 second quiz and find out!
By Sean Obuseng4 years ago in Viva