Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
I’m Gonna Go on a Quick Rant on Feminism/Femininity and Disney Here
It just riles me up when people seem to get the idea that femininity means a lack of feminism, like when people take a look at the girl in the pants and the girl in the ballgown and says the one in pants is more feminist and empowering than the one in the dress. The whole point of one of the many aspects of feminism is that as women, we have the right to choose to be and wear whatever we want. A woman in a dress is just as feminist as a woman in a burqa, and they’re both just as feminist as a woman in a suit or a woman in a bikini. And beyond clothing, a woman who’s married and in love is just as feminist as a woman who’s single. Here’s where Disney comes in: No one princess is a better more feminist role model than another. It’s important to have more than one type of role model yes, but just because one girl likes to fight and another girl likes to sew, it doesn’t mean that one is a better role model. All the princesses and other Disney ladies have good values to teach us and our kids in different ways, and I’m gonna go through them with you. Oh, and just for good measure, I always include trans women in my feminism, so terfs, this post isn’t for you.
By Emily Mayo6 years ago in Viva
PME vs PMDD vs PMDD with PME
I started writing about PMDD about two years ago. I always write from my own personal experience and interest based on what I’ve researched for my own well-being. I’m not a scientist nor trying to present “medical” articles. I’m really just sharing my story, perspective, and tools that have helped me cope.
By Cheeky Minx6 years ago in Viva
The No Gender Agenda
A simple image, yet it was something that grabbed my attention instantly—it was stuck onto a dingy lamppost somewhere between the Haggerston canal and Dalston junction. My memory fails me as to where exactly I took this picture so long ago (as you can probably tell by the snapchat format, a dying app), still, I come back to this image constantly. It's saved on my phone as well as my laptop, in which I can count on one hand the pictures I have.
By Alejandra Pascual6 years ago in Viva
Things that Men Think Are Chivalrous
I do not mind the idea of chivalry. However, I do think society has put such an emphasis on men being chivalrous that it has lost its value and can be annoying. Most of the time men do not realize they are acting in a way that makes women feel less valuable because they "are trying to be chivalrous."
By Marissa Hall6 years ago in Viva
5 Surprising Geisha Facts
They Aren't Sex Workers. This might be one of the most common myths and one that was helped along by the book Memoirs of a Geisha, which was written by a man who had hardly any real contact with Geisha and traditional Japanese society. Explaining the role of Geisha in cultures where they don't exist is also very hard, which might have led to people assuming they were sex workers at first. Geisha are artists, literally. They keep the arts of spoken poetry, brush painting, traditional music, dance, and instruments alive. These are all pursuits that require the support of others and that take a long time to master. Geisha also train in the art of speaking and in social graces.
By Jessica Riffle6 years ago in Viva
Why Being Black Is Trendy
Time and time again, I get on Social Media and find black women living their best lives. I see afros and twist-outs galore, beautiful light and dark melanin skin glowing, and positive images of black women being brought to light. I’ve seen pictures of college graduates, doctors with kinks and coils, and teens bringing justice to victims on buses, trains, and planes. Unfortunately, it seems like all the media ever sees is our hairstyles, our music, and our dance moves.
By Tamirah McGill6 years ago in Viva
What Does a Rapist Look Like?
We all want to believe that a rapist is an undeniable monster. A person who is so easy to pick out in the crowd for being an undeniable creep. They are that stranger in the dark alley or lurking in the bushes. Some despicable man with no semblance of soul or care for other human beings that lives to attack women because he couldn't be with a woman otherwise.
By Teela Hudak6 years ago in Viva
5 Books All Women Should Read by Their 20s
1. 'The Handmaid’s Tale' This dystopian novel written by Margret Atwood has not only been adapted into a gripping TV series, it is also one of the most reflective novels about feminism and womanhood that a girl could read. Without explaining the whole plot, the book follows the story of Offred: a woman whose sole purpose in society is to provide a fertile reproductive system for a male called Fred. This novel highlights the height of 1970s/80s feminism and captures the cruel truth about how women are perceived in society. 10/10; a book ALL women should read.
By Leigh Hooper6 years ago in Viva
What Is the Morning After Pill?
The morning-after pill is a form of emergency contraception. It is used after any unprotected sex takes place. Someone may consider using this to prevent pregnancy if there was a problem with the primary form of birth control, such as the condom breaking, or if a person is forced into unprotected sex.
By Teela Hudak6 years ago in Viva
The Inequalities of Being a Woman
Women’s rights have been a topic of discussion for years and some progress has been made. However, in today’s society, women still face inequality in the following categories: media, education, and the labor system. Men and women receive two different educations because of the way each gender is treated in the education system. Following the education they received, these men and women enter the workforce under the impression that they’re under equal standards. Yet, the gender pay gap still highly exists today. Finally, our media focuses on women in such a negative way, leading to mental health problems that we see in the women’s population today.
By Madison Rheam, B.A.6 years ago in Viva
