Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Paulita Maxwell: The Woman, the Myth, the Legend
Paulita Maxwell was born around 1864-5 in the town of Mora, New Mexico. She was the daughter of Lucien Bonaparte Maxwell, a wealthy and respected landowner. The New Mexico border with Old Mexico was the haunt of the notorious outlaw, Henry “Billy the Kid” McCarty. Billy was popular with New Mexico’s Hispanic community and often relied upon its hospitality. He was known to be something of a ladies man and had a particular taste for latina girls. Paulita and the Kid are popularly believed to have been lovers and it has been claimed that she was pregnant with his child around the time that he was shot dead by Sheriff Pat Garrett. According to Billy the Kid historian, Frederick Nolan, Garrett’s wife heard gossip that Paulita was pregnant with Billy’s child, which allowed Garrett to track him to Fort Sumner NM, where Paulita was staying and Billy was killed (Trimble).
By Rachel Lesch8 years ago in Viva
Living with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Have you recently heard about or been diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and are wondering what exactly that might mean? PMDD is a hormonal sensitivity that wrecks havoc in the lives of an estimated 3 to 8% of menstruating women.
By Cheeky Minx8 years ago in Viva
An Idiot's Guide to Feminism
I, like many others, hear the word feminism thrown around as much as empty promises from a politician in election year. Celebrities use it, Facebook and its millions of keyboard warriors use it, so do all the strong women striving to change the mind frames of a generation, but does anyone actually look for the real life examples that confront us? I can say I didn't, not until I tried to lose a bit of weight. So, if I may, I will start from the beginning.
By Alex Fletcher8 years ago in Viva
Enchantress Archetypes Past and Present
Spirituality that fell outside of organized religion was once regarded as a fringe hippie hobby, but times are changing. Metaphysical pastimes like crystals, essential oils, energy healing, and tarot cards are now more popular than ever. The archetypal Witch has become the new symbol of the feminist movement. It's my belief that this is exactly what feminism needs, a ritual fire that reignites the weary warrior, the magick potion that soothes those whose voices have gone hoarse from protesting. Maleficent the enchantress has had enough of men's greed and heartlessness and is reclaiming her power. Women are no longer afraid of being badass and intimidating and I couldn't be more thrilled. Today's political landscape is mobilizing Millennial women to become both activists and priestesses, and that's one giant leap for woman kind. At least some positive change has come out of this mess.
By Sarah Johnson8 years ago in Viva
PMDD
Sometimes you just don't know how to begin. Well, hey, a photo of my wedding should break the ice?! My wedding day was superb. The church was beautiful. The bridesmaids shimmered in Cadbury's purple gowns. The Rolls Royce cars swaggered up to the gates. The champagne flowed. I married a man whom I adore and who adores me. One other small detail that probably wouldn't ordinarily get shared but was hugely important to me. I got my period. Most brides would be weeping into their something borrowed and would most certainly feel blue. I, however, suffer from PMDD and the arrival of my menstrual cycle was akin to Tom Hardy arriving on horseback and agreeing to be the vicar. Husband, if you are reading this I said, "Be the vicar." Alright, not replace you at the altar, just be there also!
By Fliss Goldsmith8 years ago in Viva
Gender Criticism of Junot Diaz's 'The Cheater's Guide to Love'
In today's society, gender plays an important role in almost every aspect of our lives. Much like racism, and religious intolerance, sexism is a learned behavior. It is prevalent in many cultures, including our own. For example, in our last presidential election, the objectification of women became a key narrative. At that time, candidate Donald Trump was secretly recorded speaking vulgarly about touching women’s body parts with Entertainment Tonight's correspondent Billy Bush. He later justified it, by saying it was only “locker room” talk. Despite this, Donald Trump still became president. What does that say about our culture? It says that, when it comes to gender roles, we have not made much progress. Generally speaking, so called "locker room" talk is common among most men in our country. It is obvious that there are still many elements of sexism left in our culture. Dominican author Junot Diaz's touches on this, in his short story, "The Cheater's Guide to Love," which is the culmination of a collection of short stories called "This Is How You Lose Her." In the story, there is no question that the narrator, Yunior, is a womanizing sexist. However, some gender based critics contend that even though Yunior is a sexist, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the story is sexist.
By Wilson Geraldo8 years ago in Viva
Body Politics
I've been thinking about what it was like to be a teenager. It was horrible. People who look back on their teenage years with nostalgia and fond memories must be sniffing glue and altering their memories. I was fat, smart, weird, and from a poor family... The absolutely worst combination for the battle zone that is North American high schools. Not only is your body changing fast, hormones are racing, boobs are sprouting, you're confused, you're developing your sexuality, deciding who you are gonna be, and on top of all of that, you become the target for all the body hate North American society can heap on you.
By Sarah Sparks8 years ago in Viva
Reclaiming My Own #AuntieMaxine
"Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself." - Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching We have seen a value in speaking out recently. We have seen the power behind making the choice to "put self first." Whether it is in public or in private, as a country we have seen the counter action to closed-minded hate and the remedy is "self-love."
By Regina Stone-Grover8 years ago in Viva
To the Girl I Was and the Girl That Is
Dear Beautiful Girl, I want to take this moment to tell you that you are beautiful right now. Your beauty isn't something that is going to happen once you find the perfect shirt, get the best manicure, take the most loved Instagram photo, or start dating the "right" person. Your beauty is in you, as you are, right now.
By Heather Clarke8 years ago in Viva
Gender Stereotype
Stereotype is typically defined as a simplified generalization about members of a particular group. And, gender stereotype is a widely adopted concept about different gender attributes. The way our society portrays women as inferior to men in toughness, whether it is courage, physical strength, or intelligence expresses a common gender stereotype. Such portrayals are often carried out by propaganda, entertainment, communities, and cultures in general as we experience it or see it around us. And the reasons for the persistence of a belief that women are inferior to men in toughness are due to scientific prejudices based on biological differences, social barriers of domestication, and the influence of multimedia.
By Beena Patel8 years ago in Viva
Hairy Little Girl
If you're a female like me, take a minute to think back to when you were a little girl. See if you can remember the first time you shaved. Do you remember it, do you remember how old you were, but most importantly, do you remember why? Maybe you share my story.
By Claes Cummings8 years ago in Viva
