Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Telling My Story
It all came to a head when I was 8 years old. The sexual abuse I had suffered for years was progressively getting worse. It started out rather innocently at first. My uncle cornered me more times than I can count while he was babysitting me. Sometimes when we were alone, he would grab me close to him and force me into a hug. He rubbed my bum in a circular motion that I came to despise. He said, "Come here and give your uncle a kiss.” I obeyed because I thought I had to. "Now give me a bigger one. Open your mouth,” he said as he pulled my head towards his.
By Stacy Davenport6 years ago in Viva
A letter to the awkward, quiet & weird girls at school.
hey honey, so you found this post because you seen your "school label" written in the title, right. Well im glad you found it cause im here to tell you that i was you once. I was the werid girl that didn't fit into any group at school but i had friends, i didn't wear the short skirts, the make up and the must have bag that all the girls had (however i did in my 1st year of high school), i wore black baggy linen trousers (which were on trend to start with but i still wore them even when they went out cause well they were comfy), when it got the 3rd year 4th and 5th i wore black skinny jeans,converse with a big,chunky,burgundy zip up messanger bag. i wasn't allowed to wear make up to school but i would sneak some on quickly before i left for school. I will admit i did try and fit in a couple of time so i felt pretty the all the other girls at school but i would forget i was wearing make up and then get home and my mum would see needless to say she wasn't happy, i also tried to short bodycon skirts but the alway wiggled their way up so you'd end up pulling it down more than anything else hence the reason i stuck to trousers after that looking pretty wasnt worth the uncomfortable skirts and telling offs from my mum.
By Aletia Robertson 6 years ago in Viva
The State of Womanhood
Women have always been a part of politics and their view has never been more needed than now.Women have a place in history and they cannot be continued undermine due to their sex and gender. America is in a state of emergency and so is the rest of the world because women are not being recognized for their contribution to it. Women are not only the main caretaker but also they are also the main influencer for generations to come. A strong woman is important to a great community because she is like a pillar to its foundation. When many women are left behind a generation falters. They are our mothers, the first teacher to children and they deserve to be respected and valued at ever so high rational. Our mothers gave us life and they were the first to give us insight into who we are. Mother figures were imperative in both rich and poor alike lives. They are our sisters too. The ones that take the place of our mother if something tragic should ever happen to our mothers. They will normally strengthen us and provide comfort. We need this humanity and thank God for it. The first symbol of what a woman is our mother and that relationship has a lasting impact on future relationships that an individual has with other people. They are our cousins, someone we have relations to and can find common ancestors with. We should not undermine their contribution to America's society and the world at large. We must respect their rights to live their lives the way they choose. We have to teach our young women not only how to value life but also to determine what is best for them. No woman should live in a world that tells her how to think freely. No woman should ever live in a world that forces her to bear children she did not want. No woman should live in a world that does not reflect her values and refuses to appreciate her contribution to society. On the anniversary of women's rights, the state of women has never been so prevalent in need of heroes and heroines who will say and mean it that women matter. Not only in a political ambition to win office but say that women should be taken seriously to lead. Women have fought in wars and they have stood up to the challenge when men were few. In the Revolutionary War, some women dressed like young men to serve. Some countless nurses and teachers inspired those under their care to become something great. No woman should ever hide behind a man again and as a Black Feminist. I would like to define that term that does not base itself on sex and gender. A Black Feminist is one who believes that women should be equal to men to the utmost possible and they want changes in their community to overcome racism. I am active because I know that women matter, mothers matter, sisters matter, cousins matter, and grandmothers matter. And its time for the State of Womanhood to be recognized and respected by its brotherhood counterpart to the fullest. This has to come now to win the fight against poverty. Not recognizing women's rights around the world has destroyed economies. It is about time to undo the injustices of the past and present a bright future for all children no matter their sex. We must be recognized that racism and sexism ordinarily work hand in hand and we cannot and should not leave women behind in the fight for civil justice because women have a right to be just like men.
By Distinguished Honorary Alumni Dr. Matthew Primous6 years ago in Viva
Why I didn't speak out
February 2018, I was in the midst of a crisis. I was in an abusive relationship at the tender age of 17. Now a question you might ask is, why did you stay with him? Well, any woman that has been abused by a spouse, will say this. "I loved him".
By Cheyenne Harrison6 years ago in Viva
Feminism
t.w. sexual assault When I was younger, I wanted to be a housewife when I grew up. I saw my mum lead a life which I saw as easy and enjoyable and jokingly said I'd shadow her for my school's Year 10 work experience week. It took me until I was a bit older to appreciate her vocation as a stay-at-home-mum as being her own choice and an admirable and often arduous task in its own right (my sister was a handful). To me, feminism is empowering and supporting other women's choices rather than ridiculing them and tearing them down. My mum is my inspiration and has worked extremely hard to help me get to where I am today, and people who judge her for not working, I believe, are missing the point of what it means to uplift other women. Feminism means to me the ability to choose and not be judged on the basis of gender.
By Kate Charlton6 years ago in Viva
Catholic Schoolgirl turned Feminist
I grew up in Ecuador. It may not be the first country that comes to people’s minds when they think of South America. I went to a Catholic school where I was taught by people who believed it was best to keep educating yourself when it comes to academics, but not so much when it comes to being open-minded and less judgmental of people who were “different”.
By Isabel Jaramillo6 years ago in Viva
