Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
My Story (Betrayal by So Called Friends)
In one of my Blog posts, I talked about being insecure. This is a very accurate and still relevant problem. However what I did not say is how all of this occurred. Let me share with you where things got started; maybe my story can help someone else or perhaps someone out there can help me a bit.
By Aindrea Mccoy8 years ago in Viva
Feeling Unpretty
At 25-years old, I didn't think that this would be how I would live my life. A mom of 3, married, and still unhappy. How do you describe unhappiness when you have everything you had wished for, without sounding ungrateful? Without sounding like you're complaining?
By Mishka Upchurch8 years ago in Viva
We Are Survivors, NOT Broken
I am insecure; this comes from many terrible relationships that over time have torn me down. I worry too much, I apologize for silly stuff, but to me those silly things are enormous. I fear that what I wear will get them to ask me, “Why are you wearing that?” even if it is meant to be sexy clothing like lingerie. I have been programmed over the years to apologize for silly things. I question if I am even pretty enough to wear specific clothing, or if I am even worthy of talking to someone. Mental abuse is just as severe as physical abuse. Both equally change who you are as a person and shape you into something different. I still smile and laugh, but deep down I am scared and worried I might say something wrong, or my actions will warrant verbal abuse. I flinch at the slightest hand movement that comes near my face. This comes from not only the verbal abuse but physical abuse as well. I don’t reach out to many people even if I feel I could have a connection with them, I don’t like rejection, and I don’t want to bug or bother someone, so I tend never to be the first to make contact.
By Aindrea Mccoy8 years ago in Viva
Women of Color, Shirley Chisholm and Intersectionality
Shirley Chisholm was the first U.S. Black woman to be elected into the House of Representatives in 1961. She becomes the political embodiment of the needs and wants of the poverty-ridden neighborhood Bedford Stuyvesant of Brooklyn. This challenged the traditional ways of the patriarchal democracy of the United States. Additionally, if this did not scare the patriarchal strings attached to the stagnation of progress in the black community, she decided in 1972, to be the first African American woman to seriously run for the presidency as Democratic nominee.
By Traveling From Heavenly Places8 years ago in Viva
When in Disgrace with Fortune and Men's Eyes
The title of this piece is the first line of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 29, which is analysed in detail here. The poem itself doesn’t have much to do with this topic, but taking the first eight lines in isolation, it sounds a lot like how it feels to be a woman in a male-dominated workplace:
By Katy Preen8 years ago in Viva
What's Wrong with My Vagina... And Can Baking Soda Really Help?
I have always been fascinated with the human body and its organs. When I got my first period, unlike most, I was truly elated! This meant I was a woman and I could start kissing and having sex! It wasn't until very recently in my mid-20s that I started experiencing a huge shift in my own body's way of operating. It was no longer a self-oiled machine. I was not eating properly for many years and was partying extensively. If only I knew what crazy effects this would have on my sex life! I began to develop a strange odor from my vagina. I became extremely self-conscious about "her" and the odor she was giving off (especially since this was a new sensation for me). This prohibited me from having any sex at all as I was too worried about what others might be thinking. It doesn't sound like an issue for the press, however, to a girl going through a similar situation, I can promise it is. I even damaged a couple relationships due to my "between me down there" issues. I was DEFINITELY too embarrassed to talk to any of my girlfriends and found myself surprised that I couldn't even approach my own mother about the topic. Instead, I left it alone. I did nothing to rectify my issue. In fact, I made it worse by ignoring it. I would come home after work to see my panties soaked with discharge, so badly it was ruining all my Victoria's Secret underwear! Besides the odor, I was experiencing a nasty itch that I (literally) could not scratch. My girl friends and I always do a "movie girls night sleepover" once a week. We decided that even though we are closer to 30 than 20, that we would make a pact to keep our young spirits alive by having these nights together. My kitty problem got so internally and externally terrible, I stopped attending my precious girls nights for I was NOT going to let anyone get a whiff of what I was putting out there! I just wanted to be alone.
By Molly Mabees8 years ago in Viva
Brave Face
There are so many things I could say about him. So many bad things. Yet back then, there was only ever good things. His charm could sweep anyone off their feet. His instant replies made me feel wanted after being left feeling alone and unworthy. He'd always check up on me, making me feel secure. He'd tell me I was beautiful without makeup, looked good in every outfit. He was perfect.
By Kayleigh Dufour8 years ago in Viva
