Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Trying to Overcome Being a Victim
Form a young, vulnerable age, girls are told what to wear and what not to wear. Girls are expected to be covered up but too much, or we are prude. Our brothers have less rules and later curfews than us. At school females are not to show our shoulders, they will cause a distraction for the boys. Our thighs are not to be seen or we are "whores." As women grow older, we are taught that “boys will be boys” and “men only want one thing,” so it’s our fault if we give off the "wrong sign" and we end up being a "tease."
By Sidney Poulter7 years ago in Viva
Men Have Periods Too
Due to my previous job, I am in a lot of Facebook groups. So many Facebook groups, in fact, that it's easier just to let them fill up my Newsfeed rather than attempt the mammoth task of removing myself from them. Most of the groups are centred around environmentalism and the topic of periods, and the best way to reduce waste on your period comes up regularly. These posts are often accompanied by some quip warning men against reading it because it's a 'lady problem'. What might seem like a harmless yet deeply unfeminist comment is actually a real cause for concern. This sort of language needs to be examined closely and it's time we started realising that men can get periods too.
By Ziggy Moth7 years ago in Viva
Why We All Need Feminism
Feminism. A word that contrary to popular belief, does not signify a movement of man-hating, angry white women complaining about a lack of female traffic light signals. Instead, feminism has a rather simple meaning. In its truest sense, feminism is about the uplifting of all women, regardless of their race, sexuality, socio-economic background, or any other factor.
By Gabriel Oben7 years ago in Viva
Three Things I Didn’t Expect with the ParaGard
Let’s start with my own naïveté on the topic of birth control, shall we? When I was 29, sick and tired of the burden of virginity, I decided to make love to an amazing man who I had known for all of two weeks. More on this later. Knowing we were both clean, we had opted out of using protection. I had a truly wonderful experience making love for the first time and begged him not to pull out as we had planned previously.
By Heather Burgan7 years ago in Viva
10 Books to Raise Stronger Girls
Unfortunately, in society today, young girls can be mean. Middle school has become one of the most important times in the girl world, because this is when girls are turning into young women and defining who they will become in the eyes of their peers. Body image starts to become important, girls move into different social circles, and daughters start to pull away from their mothers. In these difficult years, mothers may need guidance in how to deal with their young daughters, and keep their little girls from going down the wrong path. Here are the best books to raise stronger girls with good character.
By Morgan E. Westling7 years ago in Viva
Truth from the Mouth of Survivors
We all have the power to be messengers, holding power in our throats or with our fingers that type away taking so much time to say our truth. The benefits of a platform is that someone is always watching, and if we are lucky, receiving and then spreading the message to others. What is the purpose if we are not listening, and then practicing what we receive for good. At my campus I had the privilege of seeing and hearing Tarana Burke. That is another benefit of University, which is the opportunity to witness current events come to life in front of you. Tarana Burke I found out is from the Bronx New York, she started organizing at the age of 14, and she grew up as a "know it all" kid knowing how to recite "For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide/ When the Rainbow is Enuf" by Ntozake Shange. Her family grew up with immense black pride, which reminds me of my own. Mrs. Burke was a teacher, and she carries herself in my opinion like a modern-day Dr. Maya Angelou. She has a familiar yet a striking, grand presence. Her still strong New-York accent reminded me of my elementary school teachers back in Brooklyn. A teacher is better than any other profession. The good ones change your life and are ingrained in our memories like our first loves.
By SAYHERNAME Morgan Sankofa7 years ago in Viva
Forgiveness During the #MeToo Movement
Over the past ten months, I have watched countless women come forward and tell their truths about sexual assault and harassment. From celebrities to laywomen around the world, the #MeToo Movement has never failed to inspire me. I, too, am a survivor. I am approximately one month away from marking five years of a rape that I still don’t know how to process, and this global coming together has often been painful as it has revealed festering wounds that I had once thought were scabbed over. But, it has been therapeutic. To have a world full of women come together, in a sisterhood that none of us wanted, and lift each other up and say, “I see you,” is far more beneficial than I could have ever imagined.
By Angel Morton7 years ago in Viva
Things Every Feminist Should Ask on a First Date
In today's day and age, it is an interesting concept to consider why men are weird about strong women. When feminists try to build close relationships with people and begin dating, it is more serious than a normal dating situation because of feminism's inert strength and direction. Every intersectional feminist has strong views and wants a partner who is an accomplice in the fight against white supremacy, the patriarchy, queerphobia, and misogyny. Everyday feminism can be extreme, but people who go beyond allyship and are true accomplices can be found in the world if you know what questions to ask. Personal is political in the world today when our world is so divided. To get close to someone, we must know where everyone stands on important issues. Here are things every feminist should ask on a first date, so they don’t waste any time!
By Morgan E. Westling7 years ago in Viva
The Argument Against Girl Boss
My husband and I decided to spend a weekend afternoon strolling a quaint shopping district in our city. It’s a small street lined with mom-and-pop boutiques that offer high-end home furnishings and vintage clothing mixed with a few neighborhood bars and hipster eateries. After having a refreshing beverage by the river, we decided to make our way back to our car which was parked outside of a women’s clothing shop. Proudly displayed in its window was a simple white t-shirt with the words “Girl Boss” emblazoned across the front. I instantly cringed. I’ve raged against that phrase for some time, but on this occasion my husband decided to ask why I’d be opposed to something meant to empower women. Simply put, because it doesn’t.
By Angel Morton7 years ago in Viva
The 19th Century Swedish Novel Missing from the Feminist Literary Canon
In surveys of the most important novels by 19th century women writers, the focus is usually on the works of Anglo and French authors like the Brontë sisters, Louisa May Alcott and George Sand. Yet for all their significance and value, few of these contributed to furthering both social and legal change as much as the frequently overlooked novel of one of Sweden’s most important women writers.
By Victoria Martínez7 years ago in Viva
Five Things Every Plus Size Girl Should Know
1. It's ok to feel like you are a queen/ Instagram model/ beast/ anything you want! Plus size girls are gifted with humbleness. We know what it feels like to be torn down, body shamed, and hated on because of our weight, but girl if you are feeling yourself you go! Be your own hype beast cause we can own the runway too. You don't have to be a size two to feel like a queen or have a million followers that like your post, or anything. You are your own self-motivator and if you feelin’ extra, honey, you work it cause I know I am not gonna let anybody tell me I can't be a queen. Try and take my crown and see what happens. So all my plus size queens wear your crowns' every day and when you start to believe your worth it, your life will change, because you are beautiful, humble, strong, fashionable, and yaaaaasss queen you are unstoppable!
By Maricella Flores7 years ago in Viva
Infertility Does Not Define Me - Go Find Someone Else
Hearing the doctors talk about you outside of the room when they think you can’t hear is the worst feeling you could ever possibly have. For me, this has been the 24th time. 24 times I have been told that there is nothing. I have seen three doctors in the last two years and nobody has come this far. Dr. Y (she shall not be directly named) has made a difference in my life. Infertility is not something that I will ever take lightly for the rest of my life.
By Elena DeCristino7 years ago in Viva
