Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Child Victim of a Sexual Predator
Cue immediate shame with self-identification: I was a victim of a child molester. I was also a witness to my sister's molestation. Our experience is a shining example of how child predators often manifest as "wolves in sheep's clothing." Though we warn our kids to avoid the creepy guy in the park, or the man driving a van who's trying to show them his puppy or offering free candy, perpetrators are more likely to be trusted friends than oddball strangers.
By Amanda Karenina8 years ago in Viva
Free the Boobies
In December 2016, I went to a party. I got drunk. Very drunk. But somehow, I remember one thing in my night: I met a girl who wasn’t wearing a bra. I remember hearing her say it while I was walking and I just stopped, turned around and asked her, “How can you not wear a bra? You have big breasts!”
By Camille Péloquin8 years ago in Viva
Why I'm Sick and Tired of Feminism
When you see someone like me on any given day, your first thought would probably not be feminist. You might see me in a jacked up truck, or rolling around in my 4 door car bumping any G-Eazy song singing "Man, she's got the deepest throat, yeah shes blessed..." (Say Less by G- Easy) and smoking a cigarette. In fact, feminist is probably the last thing you might think. But, if you saw my Facebook page, you would think I'm a certified SJW (Social Justice Warrior). You would see a wide array of posts talking about sex worker rights, videos from Hasan Piker (Total SJW BAE) and Philip Defranco, and posts discussing the injustices of POC (People of Color) and LGBTQIA+. However, since discovering my feminist mindset at 14, (6 years ago) I have learned of a lot of shit that I am sick and tired of seeing within the feminist movement.
By Hope J. Nas8 years ago in Viva
From Hell to Happiness
I have two children with the man who raped and sexually abused me for the span of our relationship. Three long years. It started off great. Better than great. He was my best friend. But things moved too fast. He moved in and a month later I found out I was pregnant with our first child. He was thrilled. I was scared. I wondered why a man who was already expecting a child was so excited to have another one. I brushed those fears aside.
By Amanda Hale8 years ago in Viva
Top Five Friday
It's tough being a woman. No matter how hard you try, someone will always criticize what you do. Not feminine: you're mannish, unattractive, and too aggressive. Feminine: you're silly, frivolous, and kowtowing to the patriarchy. Sexual: you're slutty and dangerous. Not sexual: you're an uptight prude. Outspoken: you're a bitch who needs to shut up. Demure and retiring: you're a doormat who needs to stick up for herself. Being too much of one thing is liable to make you disliked. The same applies to women in fiction.
By Rachel Lesch8 years ago in Viva
Body Pos 201
From the title, this looks like just another body activist post, I get that. This topic weighs heavy on my heart because I have neglected how amazing the human body is and how even more amazing mine is. We are all unique obviously: different shapes, different colors, the list goes on. But it’s time we start accepting compliments with, “Thank you, that means a lot” instead of, “No, I look awful. You should have seen how long it took me to pull it together today.” Why do we have to counter a compliment with a negative comment? I know when I do it I am just trying to let the other person know that I am NOT the way they perceive me; I don’t wake up with straight hair and a perfect skin. But that’s not what a compliment is meant to do, this kind hearted person is complimenting the beauty you hold, because they are appreciating the work of art you as a human being are. It’s time for you to see what they see. And this is how:
By Thrifty, Curvy, & Thriving8 years ago in Viva
How Do Birth Control Pills Work?
If you're new to learning everything about birth control pills, hello and welcome. You're probably on the journey to have an infinite amount of sex without the risk of getting pregnant from your rowdy nights. You're just like every other girl who's in the same position as you — wanting sex but minus the baby.
By Rachel Blanchard8 years ago in Viva
Body Pos 101
In recent times we see body pos everywhere! This is a huge leap for our society. If you want to believe it or not, our world is coming around slowly to the idea that not every woman needs to look like the “typical model.” Sure, there are still trolls out there that will never agree that a woman over 140lbs can be beautiful, healthy, and a free to wear whatever they want. But I’m not here to pay attention to negative trolls; I’m here to shed light on the constant battle women young and old (men too) deal with daily and how we, as women, can turn our insecurities into the armor we wear every day to face the world. Obviously I am going to speak from a young woman’s perspective, but I encourage you, even if you’re not a “young woman,” read on, and maybe you can get a new take on body positivity through my eyes!
By Thrifty, Curvy, & Thriving8 years ago in Viva
Cycling as a Feminist Act
Feminism has helped me learn a lot about myself and the world. Perhaps one of the most surprising things it has taught me is how to ride a bike. By this, I don’t mean how to balance, pedal, and look where I wanted to go. My brilliant dad had taught me that long before either of us would have used the word "feminism" to describe our actions. No, I mean how to actually use a bike in daily, adult life without unnecessary injury and panic attacks. And it turns out, doing so helps me grow as a feminist.
By Sophie Small8 years ago in Viva
A Mile in Her Feet
It started out as a joke, really. I was attending one of my best female friend's bachelorette party and as a part of the low-key celebrations, the plan was to go to the salon to get our nails did. I didn't really feel like disappearing midway through the day so I agreed to go with. After all, I had heard about men getting manicures and pedicures and absolutely loving it.
By C.E. Zulin8 years ago in Viva
The Events Following My Rape
The numbness was snatched away when the doctor inserted this plastic instrument inside of me. I tried not to yell, attempted not to complain at the first sign of pain but all of a sudden I felt like a monster was inside of me and it just kept getting deeper and deeper inside of me. All of a sudden all I felt was pain all I saw was red. All of a sudden I felt like he was inside of me again. I felt like I was being raped all over again. All around me, a bunch of strangers keep telling me to hush that it’ll be okay. But thats a lie, I know it will not be ok. In this exact moment I wanted my birth giver, the only person who could help soothe my soul but somewhere after the red wore off I remembered she’s dead. I called my aunt hoping she can provide some kind of solace for my already crippled psyche, along with my body. None is provided, kinda hard to reach out when my hands seem to be permanently glued to my sides. I don’t know how I cope. I just do, I push everything down until I am alone. Until it all comes vomiting back up, I wanna scream. I wish I didn’t tell the people I care about the most because I feel like they don’t look at me the same anymore b/c they don’t. I don’t want to silently suffer but I know no other way. Every time before this, my feelings were disregarded not by the people who care about me the most but by the people who were supposed to care about me the most but didn’t. Or couldn’t or whatever excuse we’re making for them today. I cried in the shower today because I tried to talk to God, and he didn’t talk back. Or maybe I couldn’t hear him over all the sobbing, I turned the lights off for my shower today b/c it seemed easier. Today I saw red and swallowed shattered brokenness. Today I took 8 different pills to prevent pain, pregnancy, and infection. Today loving the world was as hard as loving myself. And I don’t feel strong enough for either.
By Ann Jackson8 years ago in Viva
