Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
No Means No
In early 2011, I was raped. Not by one person but by two people. Gang members in fact. It was on that night that my world came shattering down around me that I realized I was in fact not as strong as I once thought I was. Little did I know at the time the burden that I was about to have to bear.
By Alyssa Horn7 years ago in Viva
What is Rape Culture?
I first want to address that this could be triggering for some individuals, please take care of yourself and your needs while reading (or choosing not to). Secondly, I want to address that this shows rape culture as a fairly privileged, cisgendered, and straight women experience. I do not want to claim to be speaking for all people of all identities. Alright, read on!
By purple and blue7 years ago in Viva
Accountability in Educational Theatre and Beyond
The theatre industry, like many, has always been a male-led industry, its content and conventions created by and for men. There was a time when women weren't even allowed to perform or attend performances. Yet, somewhere along the line, boys' masculinity began to be measured by how skilled they were at athletics. The performing arts became too "feminine" of a career choice, likely discouraging many young men to try out for the high school play, and thus discouraging a potential introduction to careers in theatre. In high school and community theatre productions, where many current professionals discovered their calling, recruiting men who can act (and sing, and dance) can be difficult. Often, if it's harder to fill male roles, a director or teacher is more willing to be flexible in order to have a successful show. Maybe they add Maria into "Edelweiss" sooner to mask Captain Von Trapp's tone-deafness. Maybe "Jimmy" is late to Thoroughly Modern Millie rehearsal a fourth time and they decide not to cut him because they have no replacement. In educational theatre, where there are usually more talented young women than a show can hold, women are held to different standards. It gets cutthroat. They have to work harder to "outshine" their peers. And they're replaceable. "Millie" gets kicked out if she's consistently late, because "that's how the real world works." And even though "Jimmy" was kind of a nightmare, he still gets cast in the musical the following spring.
By Briana Beeman7 years ago in Viva
Accept or Reject: The Truth About Consent
“Stupid bitch!” It’s a phrase that more than one man has screamed at a woman who has turned down his advances. If they are in a group of buddies, they will sometimes mutter something like, “She must be a dyke. Why wouldn’t she want this?” To which the group will mostly cheer and try to rally the fallen one. It’s a gross miscarriage of what actually happened and needs to stop. There are a couple of memes going around social media that should help clear up the confusion that seems to happen.
By Edward Anderson7 years ago in Viva
Why Does Fat Shaming Exist?
Fat Shaming! It seems that fat shaming has become the ultimate trend. Why does it exist anyway? What do people get out of it anyway? What does it actually prove? These are the questions that I constantly ask myself, as a full figured woman myself. Speaking as a woman, I love my body. I love my curves. I love myself as a person. And I do not feel that it is right for anybody to judge from the simple fact that someone is a different size.
By Ashara Armand7 years ago in Viva
Feminist Children's Books Every Child Must Read
My childhood was filled with princess stories. Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, you name it. When I was a little girl, I wanted nothing more than to find a handsome prince and live happily ever after. I know I’m not the only one who had a steady diet of these stories. But if I ever have kids, whether they’re girls or boys, I don’t want them to grow up solely on stories where the princess needs to be rescued by someone else. I’d rather introduce them to feminist kid's books—ones with characters who are amazing role models. If you feel the same, read on, and check out these feminist children’s books that every child must read.
By Kioko Leonia7 years ago in Viva
Oh, She's What?
Being Pansexual. There are always so many questions when people learn what your sexual orientation is and it's never something I've ever needed to worry about. Luckily. However, the older I get, the more I realise that people have some kind of misunderstanding of it. Especially Pansexual or 'Pan' for short.
By . Valentine .7 years ago in Viva
