Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Viva.

Sistah, I'm Still Singing Your Name
When you’re a young child, like me, who rarely speaks in front of people, your role models are almost guaranteed to be different from everyone else.
By The Dani Writer5 years ago in Viva
Dis-JOY-nted Developments
I used to be a solid "fiction only" reader. Sometimes, though, an amazing non-fiction book slams me upside the head and demands that I pay attention! Tembi Locke wrote one of these books.
By Hannah Marie. 5 years ago in Viva
Pepe Le Pew Is the Mascot of Sexual Harassment: A Retrospective on Growing up With Rape and Consent Culture in 80s Pop Culture
Anyone familiar with Pepe Le Pew from the Looney Tunes cartoon menagerie will get the same image in their head. A male skunk merrily bouncing towards a terrified female black cat who had the misfortune of somehow getting a white stripe painted along her back. The premise: Pepe thinks she is a female skunk now, which apparently makes it okay to relentlessly harass her, despite the most desperate of refusals and uber-clear non-verbal cues from the cat. Each episode is the same: Pepe nonchalantly stalks her for the whole show, flirting with a French accent, tries to hold her against her will and kiss her, while the cat scrambles out of his arms time and time again, scrambling for sanctuary from her insistent, clueless pursuer. It doesn't help that Pepe is a stinky skunk whose scent wilts flowers as he walks by. Occasionally, the cat will retaliate by laying in wait around a corner with a large mallet, or maybe perhaps rig up an Acme anvil to drop on Pepe’s head. Even after being smashed in the head by the cat, Pepe doesn’t get it. He smiles and says in his thick faux French tones, “flirt.”
By Richard Wright, MA5 years ago in Viva
How it feels to be in a relationship with a toxic person
Sometimes, it’s easier to deny than to accept and apologize. People are always going to be imperfect and flawed; the first thought to cross your mind after being accused of something will always be to deny and question the accusation. Most of the time, people think through just what they’ve been accused of, and reason whether or not to admit to their faults.
By Sadie Haynes5 years ago in Viva
The Baby Question
I want to take a moment to talk about something that we as a society think we are totally cool with, but in reality, we're not.
By Lauren Baldwin5 years ago in Viva
Just What I Am; A Woman
We live in a world that is divided. Divided by the haves and the have-nots, the privileged and the struggling, the conformers and the changers, the born to survive and the born to thrive.
By Katie McNeill5 years ago in Viva
I'm Not A Strong Woman
My mother is a strong woman. She raised me on her own, working a full time job, and even moved us to a new state to escape the backwardness of our hometown. My mom was, and is, strong. She raised me to be strong too. A woman can do anything, be anything, and has a right to do or be anything. A woman's place was not in the home, but wherever she wanted to be! I grew up picturing myself as a strong, independent woman too. I imagined myself with a thriving career, a household that I was in charge of, and babies. I always, always wanted babies. Three of them, to be exact. And even when I was certain I would be the epitome of a strong woman, working and raising kids, there was this unnamed desire in the back of my mind. I wanted to be home with my kids. Maybe it was because my mom had to work all the time, and my father wasn't in the picture, but I really gravitated towards the idea of just being around my kids, a lot.
By Fig Tives5 years ago in Viva
Be la Bruja!
Within the witchcraft community lies talented individuals with unique businesses because we tend to think outside the box when it comes curating everyday products. We love to add magick to everything we can so it is no surprise that there is magickally charged coffee on the market. Based in New Mexico, Bruja Coffee Co. is raising the vibration of morning coffees everywhere.
By Aivreyz5 years ago in Viva
We'd Be Lost Without Her
My sister, Jeanie, grew up two years older and a mile into the air taller than me. She could see high above the crowds like nobody else, so she always picked the best friends. Since her days in kindergarten, Jeanie has chosen wisely.
By Christy Munson5 years ago in Viva
Confessions of an Accidental Karen
Just to be clear: I didn’t call the police on some innocent Black or Brown person just living their life. No, I did not demand to speak to the manager. But potential Karenism is everywhere.
By Jana Van der Veer5 years ago in Viva
8 Women Safety Tips for International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day, on March 8th, is a global day dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women and continuing to advocate for equality. This year, the theme is “choose to challenge” because a challenged world is an alert world, and from challenge, comes change. One of the main concerns women have is personal safety – whether while walking alone at night, in the workplace, or while driving.
By Mike Bojack5 years ago in Viva
Fitness Divas
When I started my fitness journey I felt a whole host of emotions. These ranged from fear to hopelessness and even overwhelming anxiety.
By Kate Fox5 years ago in Viva