Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
I Don’t Want to Be Your Superwoman
It’s a bittersweet thing to be seen by others as Superwoman. Although at first glance it may seem like a compliment, after earning my Superwoman title I’ve realized that it ain’t all good. In fact, I’m just furthermore convinced that Superwoman had to be one tired ass lady.
By Stephanee mckiney8 years ago in Viva
I Encourage the Big Chop!
Natural is beautiful. It took me a long while to finally accept my natural hair as beautiful. I was always trying to conform to society's standards of what beautiful was; the black girl with the straightest and longest hair. I had to overcome my low self-esteem if I wanted to dive into the natural hair world. I was always so self-conscious about whether it would be too nappy or too big. After watching numerous videos about naturally curly hair, I never realized how much I was damaging my hair until recently. I was empowered by watching the naturalistas embrace their big, beautiful hair and decided that it was time for a change and that I was ready to really "embrace" my curls!
By Genesis Ewell8 years ago in Viva
Fat and Skinny Shaming
Society has ways of developing a right and wrong view of what true beauty is, going as far as blaming the makers of the Barbie doll for demonstrating an illusion of what beauty is too young girls. Females are the main target when it comes to beauty, but males suffer too. There are promotions for beauty being on the inside because of how the shapes of bodies are looked down upon. The point to this is to show a side that isn’t shown as often as it should be.
By Brittany Diamond8 years ago in Viva
I'm Not the Pretty Girl. Top Story - May 2018.
Do you ever feel like you're not going to find your soulmate? I definitely know that feeling. I also know the feeling of thinking that you're not enough for someone. I know the feeling when your mom or dad says, "You would be one hell of a catch," but I know that I wouldn't be. I know the feeling of being crazy excited when you're finally talking to a hot guy and then you feel like you're worth something because someone like him wants you. I used to know these feelings. Not anymore.
By Madison Rheam, B.A.8 years ago in Viva
Me Too
You are told through scrolling videos on Facebook that automatically play while you sit in the bathroom at work “taking a shit,” but your pants are still up, buckled, and zipped, that if you have been cat called while walking home from a bar that you should be part of the “me too” movement, and you feel obligated to give your statement because what girl hasn’t been walking in the dead winter of Michigan, with her bare legs showing, toes sticking out of the tips of her booties, and nothing but a light jacket on your arms because she didn’t want to get her two hundred dollar down coat stolen when she wanted to dance instead of sitting at the bar and getting hit on and still manage to get a whistle or two from a drunk homeless man on the way back to the car? The snow lightly falling on your face, and it wouldn’t be so bad if the wind would just chill for the five minutes it takes you to walk to your car. But you grew up waking up early on Sundays to put on a dress and some flats to be early to bible quiz so you can practice your speed at the buzzer, answering questions on break point, attend adult service for two hours, and from December through April, you spend your Sundays from 12:30 to at least 6 backstage preparing for play productions, wearing old english costumes, or costumes from the middle east during the time of Jesus’s life while playing James Bond with your friends in the bathroom. We sat in the back rooms of the church putting together skits, human videos, choir practice, using each other as props, bouncing ideas off of each other, and finally finishing with ensemble practice. On Wednesdays, you brought your quarters, signed in, you did your lessons, memorized the bible verses, participated in the projects, and by the time you graduated high school, you had whispered repeatedly underneath your breath all the things that cannot separate you from the Love of God in your sleep, feeling the heat radiating off of the iron barrel every morning as you curled your hair and enunciated each syllable, covered your hand over papers and repeating to the “s” every word on the yellow pages of the twenty point questions.
By Bella Harris8 years ago in Viva
From Weakness Comes Strength: Part Two
If you haven't read my "Part One," certain references used throughout this Part Two will be confused. I suggest reading Part One to understand this part fully. However, a small recap: I was bullied horribly in 8th grade, so much so that I decided I wanted a fresh start somewhere else and chose to go to a catholic high school a few towns over. I lost many friends, stopped eating, and was extremely depressed. Going into high school, I was entirely anxious, but wanted to make a good impression on what would hopefully be new friends and become a happy person again.
By Paranneting/Anne Reboa8 years ago in Viva
Am I Beautiful?
Today I can honestly say I feel quite beautiful. It is, of course, due to the fact that my insides feel good and not because I look good on the outside. I ordered a salad instead of pizza and why? Because it is healthy, that's why. I am not thick or thin but somewhere in between 106 and 160. At one point I was 160 because I was full of bad foods and an equally terrible lifestyle.
By Elizabeth Rox8 years ago in Viva
