Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Listen to YOUR Body
I was always the runt of the family. Small frame and shy my entire life (until I hit 35). Unlike most of the women in my family, my cycle, yes that "blessing" or dreaded curse for some started for me at age 9. Yes, 9 years old. Lucky me. Thankfully, I had an older cousin living with us at the time that gave me some information on it because at that time we didn't discuss things like that. Can you imagine being 9 and this happening to you? I thought I was DYING!
By Trying 2 Stay Sane5 years ago in Viva
Mensuration and My Body Love
Excruciating mensuration pains kept me in bed all day Saturday. Sweating, crying and deep guttural moaning. It feels good to bleed 🩸 but the pain is immense. I love being connected with my body and allowing it the natural courses it needs to take, especially when it forces me to be present with my pain, looking it in the eye and feeling every inch of visceral shedding. When I can I avoid pain killers so I can support every part of myself, especially with pain. Pain is important, its designed in our bodies for a a reason. Living in a society that runs from pain is toxic and unnatural, numbing us to the sensations of life. Without pain what do we have to compare it to when we want joy? I am grateful to my body for supporting and holding me together (literally), for taking me places and for growing with me as I journey through life. For communicating to me the things I need, even when I don’t always listen.
By Heather Naomi5 years ago in Viva
Sexy Is Women
I’ve said it for years, but now it is time to write a post about it. Women aren’t sexy; sexy is women. Sexy with all of its suggested meanings and breathtaking attributes, actually defines women as a term and as a gender. I’m not talking about the super models you see either; though they too are sexy, of course. I am talking about the average woman that graces your life as well as mine. The woman who seems to think that every pair of jeans in her closet, but one, will make her butt look too big. Same woman that swears her hair hates her; despite the fact that all we want do to is run our fingers through that same hair.
By Timothy A Rowland5 years ago in Viva
How to Rape-Proof Your Son
Yes, you read that title right. This is for all parents who want to protect their sons from the trauma of being accused of rape. And no, I’m not just going to say, “Teach them not to rape, Assholes!” This is some real, serious, and practical advice.
By Symbliene E Griffin5 years ago in Viva
How to regain stability from the best treatment for PMDD
PMDD afflicts a number of women beyond the United States. While no antidote has been discovered, practices are present that can support women to get back their days and continue living without fear of their menstrual cycle.
By Harbor Compounding pharmacy5 years ago in Viva
Millennial girl, in a millennial world.
Even if my Mexican, primarily Spanish speaking, mother had taken the time to sit me down at age 9 for the flowery, glittery womanhood speech… It would not have prepared me for the shit show that I find myself navigating through today. Literally none of it would have been relative to my life. She definitely would have emphasized the need to be the ideal mother and wife. You know the one who cooks and cleans and takes care of the children and maintains a full time job and memorizes every single family member’s social security number and somehow still manages to remain married to a hard working, faulty, alcoholic man. You know the one?
By Gabriela Rubalcava5 years ago in Viva
Too Close
I was 18 years old during the summer of 2009. My family and I were off to Disneyland for a week-long vacation. I had a lot of fun throughout the week until the very last night. I was on my way to the hotel room after having a smoke. I had just come out of the elevator when someone approached me. He was wearing a solid white cook uniform and he rushed up to me to ask if I wanted to drink that night. I figured I might as well get drunk since it is the last night.
By Violet Holt5 years ago in Viva
CAVE OF DESIRE
“Are you a woman who believes in trendsetting . Are you a wave-maker, a tradition- breaker and a world shaker. In a day of age when women are still fighting for equal pay for equal work , its easy to see how we might have trouble with our self- esteem. Afterall we are still shaking off the sides effects of hundreds of years of training to be seen but not heard , to serve but not be served . But thanks to modern feminism, women are again fighting back against “traditional” idea that a woman’s role is simply to be an-in home cook, personnel maid, smiling living room ornament- today we women, tackle work and play, motherhood and muscle , beauty and bossiness. Afterall , what better quality than bossiness is there for the accomplished bosses and leaders of the world .
By Deepti Raju5 years ago in Viva
Black Women: The Most Disrespected, Unprotected And Neglected Person In The World.
“The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman.” Malcolm X said these words in 1962. 58 years later, nothing has changed. At all. As a matter of fact, one could make the argument that with the advent of the internet and social media, it’s probably gotten worse. The Black woman’s body for centuries has been a topic of ridicule, scorn, lust and fetishization from both Black and white men and white women. The Black woman’s intellect even more so. Black women have been ridiculed as not being as smart as Black men, when according to the National Center for Education Statistics, Black women make up 64% of all bachelor’s degrees earned by Black people in the United States, and 67% of all associates degrees earned, statistically speaking. Black women have also been leading revolutions and carrying on movements when Black male leaders were either slain or imprisoned. The burden of the colour of our skin that we have had to shoulder, amassed with having to raise families, take care of elders and maintain social standing and our mental health is and has been beyond taxing.
By Whitney Smart5 years ago in Viva
I’m Not A Fan Of The #MeToo Movement Anymore.
It is International Day of the Girl Child at the time of me writing this, and I’ve been taking some time to reflect on what this means to me personally. These days, I feel like there is this tendency to create a day and bring awareness to issues-yet there doesn’t seem to be much change happening in recognition of these days or follow up on these initiatives. This year, it’ll be 25 years from the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action — the global agenda for advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls, everywhere. Earlier this year, Generation Equality was also launched as a multi-year, multi-partner campaign and movement for bold action on gender equality. While these resolutions and big drivers for change are great ideas, I’m extremely doubtful that any real adjustment will actually be made.
By Whitney Smart5 years ago in Viva
