Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
The World of Honor and Pride
“I don’t approve of female Marines,” Captain Boller said at the Newark, Delaware Marine Officer Selection Office. His thick arms nearly burst of out of his blue dress “D” uniform that day in June. A bulldog named Pappy circled the desk and chair where the Boller sat. Tymeeka Timmons leaned back in her chair.
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in Viva
We Do Not Control PMDD
I write a lot of pieces about PMDD being a call to turn within and begin a journey of healing, the most recent one being "Periods of Misfortune." I know many of you have also come around to this way of thinking. You've used PMDD and all the symptoms it brings as the fuel to take better care of yourself, not just on the physical level, but mental, emotional and spiritual as well. But I know a frustration often remains, "I'm doing everything I can! Why am I still suffering?"
By Cheeky Minx7 years ago in Viva
PMDD
I will start by saying that I have PMDD and my journey since discovering this has been long and very hard. I was misdiagnosed with Bipolar disorder for many years. I have learned a lot along the way but it has never been easy to deal with the ups and downs month after month. Feeling helpless, hopeless and alone. I survive one month wondering how I can keep doing this every single month. It has cost me many jobs with the realization that I am unable to work a full time job like most people. I happen to have a very strong and supportive husband but I have talked to people who have lost much more than I have.
By Jennifer Hopper7 years ago in Viva
Why Dating Is Expensive for Women and How to Save Money
There's a perception that most of the expenses involved with dating rest on the man's shoulders. Couples do "go Dutch" when it comes to settling bills, but traditional attitudes persist, with men insisting on paying for meals, taxi rides, concert tickets, and so on. At least during the early stages, after connecting on matchmaking service or in some more conventional social setting. But the business of dating is actually so much more expensive for the woman. They can't just spend 15 minutes getting trimmed at the barber, shower, throw on a shirt and trousers, and then turn up.
By Jonathan Draper7 years ago in Viva
Why Black Women Hate the Word 'Sassy'
Despite the amazing strides towards cultural and racial awareness in the U.S. in the past decade, there still seems to be a lot of confusion and debate about some words. And it's understandable! There are so many tricky words for a non-minority person to navigate. If our freedom of speech is to have any practical value, why are some seemingly harmless, culture-specific words socially sanctioned and some not? How are you supposed to navigate these unspoken rules when society can't even agree on what they are!? Well, I'm here to help with one word in particular.
By Ashley Davis7 years ago in Viva
What Does It Mean to Be a Woman?
Nowadays thanks to the World Wide Web anyone, much like the good Generation Z-er I am, has an endless black hole of knowledge right at our fingertips wherever we are in the world. Whether one may think it’s a good or a bad thing, there’s simply no hiding from it. When trying to conceive an answer for what it means to be a woman, I trusted my handy pal Google to help me out. Much to my lack of surprise, the results were nothing to shake your tail feather at. It’s easy to find the few recurring blogs from singular perspectives or an array of online articles. Each piece is found to be discussing stereotypes, hormones, psychology, or biology. How IS it that such an intricate and varied group of powerful people are condensed into fitting sterile categories? These categories with little to no mention of what lies beneath these things? Brushed under a rug to be left as nothing but a list of certain criteria and criticisms. Is being a woman really chalked up to being only a superficial idea? I stumbled across a question that had no definitive answer; a question that I realized is nearly absent from our current world conversations.
By Natalie Santana7 years ago in Viva
Gillette's New Ad Is Infuriating Both Men AND Women
Gillette came out with a new ad the other day… and it’s driving people completely up the wall. It focused on the fact that toxic masculinity is still a huge issue and that if we want the future generation of men to be great, we need to stop excusing bad behavior. It doesn't mean that all men physically, sexually, or even verbally attack each other, but a lot of men do sit back and do nothing. That in itself is toxic masculinity and it adds to the problem. They pointed out that there’s still a huge issue with this domino effect of bullying, harassment, and blatant sexism and their message is that men can do better. That they don't need to act like this and they need to stand up to the ones that do. It shows that men also need to teach little boys who are going to be the men of tomorrow to always act decent, responsible, and not like animals. To always do the right thing even when it's not exactly easy or convenient.
By Mardoll Gatsby7 years ago in Viva
Opinion: Why Gillette's 'We Believe: The Best Men Can Be' Film Is Greatly Needed
Traditionally, shaving as a male has always been a rite of passage, the first step towards manhood. I remember, as a young lad myself, wanting to be able to shave so I could tell myself and others that I was a man. Raised in the early 90s by working class parents this young lad was brash, liked the colour blue, played contact sports and fancied girls. We were also told that we didn't necessarily have to work hard for what we wanted—as men. In We Believe: The Best a Man Can Get, the company providing us the tools to become men were telling us we simply get the best. Even though Gillette sells men's and women's products it was clear who their target audience were.
By Gavin Spoors7 years ago in Viva
The 10 Best Books for Feminist Friends
In the words of Queen Bey, "Who run the world? Girls!" There are so many excellent books for feminist friends on the market today because feminism is taking the world by storm. Young women everywhere (as well as men) are realizing that women are powerful and deserve to be treated as equals in society. It’s important when reading about feminism to take in perspectives from a wide range of authors, both modern and classic. Some of the greatest feminist writers of all time came from decades past, such as Margaret Atwood and Virginia Woolf, however, 21st century women have written amazing feminist books with plenty to say. Their words will surely inspire you and your feminist friends.
By Morgan E. Westling7 years ago in Viva
Owning My Truth
For a while I've let the sexual abuse I've experienced control me. It was like this forbidden thing to talk about. It felt so taboo to own my truth, say it out loud, and finally be okay with it. I could not give myself the permission to be okay with life. How could I give myself permission to live a happy life when I experienced trauma, and had to say good-bye to the little girl inside of me too soon?
By Doe's Crafte`7 years ago in Viva
