Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Ayn Rand: The Unknown Ideal Woman
Two morally perfect men came out of the mind of Ayn Rand. From her two most popular novels, The Fountainhead (1943) and Atlas Shrugged (1957), Howard Roark and John Galt, respectively, exemplify the grandeur of what it means to be an absolutely ethical person. Their genius may surpass the common man, but anyone can relate to their ironclad virtues. All of which Miss Rand made possible.
By Skyler Saunders5 years ago in Viva
I Was Assaulted 4 Months Ago. Now What?
In October, an ex of mine had sex with me without my consent. Afterwards, when I approached them explaining how violated I felt, they told me I was wrong and accused me of trying to 'ruin' them. Despite having a black belt they created a narrative of being afraid of me that relied on misogynoir and painting me as an angry black woman. After launching a uni investigation that was mishandled at every turn and incredibly traumatic for me, I was told that there wasn't enough evidence to go further. My rapist then used this outcome to tell people I was lying, outing personal and sensitive information to friends. Despite the fact that I had actually gone out of my way to protect their reputation, and encourage their friends to support them, nothing I did stopped them from believing I was lying.
By Luwa Adebanjo5 years ago in Viva
Little Black Book
Dee Richards has never been anything special. She had normal, middle-class parents, grew up with 2 siblings who were all good at everything she wasn’t(which was basically everything), and she kept up average grades at school and never had more than a few friends. Even her job was as boring as it can get: call center employee for a not-so-fast internet service provider.
By Dionne Evans5 years ago in Viva
I am tired of being labelled as a strong black woman.
If I were to tell you that I carry the entire world on my back would you believe me? Well, that is how it feels right now. Being a woman already has its dangers accompanied to it but a black woman? That is on another level and an open door to being a target. A target to be told that you should or should not do this or that. A target to be scrutinized about everything you said or did not say. Even with our own personal struggles we still must deal with what the world wants to dump on our shoulders.
By Feliciana Lumona5 years ago in Viva
She's Not Just a Pretty Face
At some point in everyone’s life, there are defining moments; moments that make you who you are as you grow up. Whether you value money, looks, intelligence or athletics, in many cases, this can be accredited to those defining moments. In grade school, were you celebrated for having top grades in all of your subjects? Did you find your glory with a winning touchdown? Was your proudest moment being nominated as best dressed at graduation? All of these moments create a feeling of pride, of belonging and, more importantly, they create a memory in your mind of how to get the feeling of pride and belonging.It’s simple, if you are rewarded for something, whether with praise, money or trophies, you associate happiness with the reward. Similarly, if you are punished for something, you associate sadness with the punishment. Most people (yes I know exceptions) seek to feel happiness in their lives. So what do they do to achieve this? They go back to the basic actions that brought them happiness in the past, therefore, creating a habit. That kid growing up that was always praised for being an incredible athlete and felt the glory of their teammates celebrating them for amazing plays, puts immense value in being athletic. That kid, who was praised for the high marks by their parents and given money for every A, now seeks praise for intelligence. Obviously, this is very simplified and, if you are some psychologist, I know you will rip it apart with technicalities and exceptions, but overall there is truth to this. Bringing me to my point, don’t call me beautiful.If you are ever in the delivery wing of a hospital, listen to people talking. They will be holding a little baby girl saying “oh she is so beautiful!” Okay, I don’t know if you have ever seen a new baby but, I hate to break it to you, they are not beautiful. They are all shriveled up, pink and probably flaky. That child can’t open her eyes, let alone acknowledge the comment; yet, the brainwashing begins.Say that girl is now four years old. She has started school with the other kids and is getting ready in a brand new dress for her first day. Mom or Dad want a picture and can’t stop awing and cooing over how precious and beautiful their baby girl is. As they snap pictures nearly blinding the child, they continue to repeat she is beautiful. Her parents hug her and send her to school. Don’t even get me started about picture day.End of grade eight rolls around; she is getting dressed up for graduation (which is actually a thing… I am talking full gowns that cost more than my last car payment). Somehow, somewhere in that subconscious, there is a memory from her first day of school and how special she felt. The word “beautiful” is circling in her head creating pressure. She wants to feel special again, she has to look beautiful. Hence the $300 dress, hair style, pedicure, manicure and of course, new shoes. Again, Mom or Dad begins with the pictures and the praise, only further embedded the importance of being beautiful into her mind.Everyone blames the media for this necessity for woman to be thin, for the increase in eating disorders. But, someone, somewhere, had to begin this trend. I am not saying it is bad to compliment a girl on her looks but, why is it always beautiful? What is wrong with saying a girl looks strong? That she looks healthy? Better yet, that she looks happy?Start it young and start it early. Next time you look at a “beautiful” baby girl, flip your thought, instead of saying she is beautiful, start early and say she looks “healthy” or “strong”. You may laugh saying that a baby can’t look strong but, as discovered earlier, they really don’t look “beautiful” either.You can still tell a girl she is beautiful but, please, say it for the right reasons. Say it because she just finished running a full event on her own and still has a smile on her face. Say it because she just completed her university applications and is filled with anticipation for her future.Start this before they can even understand the words you are saying.
By Jennifer Kean5 years ago in Viva
Dr. Ashley Little Creates Her Own Seat at The Table & Invite other Professionals to Join Her at the Table
I believe in the power of divine connections. Ever since me and Ashley started following each other on the Clubhouse App, we have been consistently supporting each other's businesses. Dr. Little received her undergraduate degree in English from North Carolina A&T State University. Next, she received her Master’s Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology. She has received her Doctorate in Humanitarian and Leadership as well. Dr. Little is a mover and shaker and she continuously pushes herself to be better than she was yesterday. She gives GOD all the credit for everything that has happened in her life. She has strong faith and determination to be great. She believes her only competition is herself. Her favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”.
By Veronica Charnell Media5 years ago in Viva
The Murder of Myrtle
I read the novel "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald when I was a teen in high school. Actually, I cheated. I read the Cliff Notes and watched the movie. The poetry of the book was nice, but I just wanted to know the story so I could get through my assignments and be done with it. I did not like the novel at all when I first learned of it. I hated Daisy right away because she acted like what happened to Myrtle and Jay was no big deal, when both of their murders are really her fault. Jordan admits that she's "irresponsible" but Daisy never does. Daisy is a spoiled, worthless, emotional piece of junk who doesn't appreciate her wealth, her husband, her child, or the love of other people who were obsessed with her. F. Scott Fitzgerald actually has the nerve to end the novel with her as a Winner. If you want to see Evil Triumph over good, then by all means agree that The Great Gatsby is the Great American novel. But I disagree. As a woman and as a writer, I think The Great Gatsby is the worse piece of literature ever to be written as American fiction, and I think that women should be ashamed of themselves if they think it's any good. It right up there with the trash of "50 Shades of Gray". Please women! Use your brain! Do you want to end up dead like Myrtle or miserable like Daisy? That's what Fitzgerald promises you.
By Shanon Angermeyer Norman5 years ago in Viva
