body
Feminism demands a future free of fat shaming, body obsession and the male gaze.
Flashbacks
Okay, so just like many girls have been through stuff so have I. I’d like to say more than people imagine, us girls been through a lot. If you just sit there and tell yourself I wonder if she’s been through certain stuff more likely she has. People who know me don’t know this,but I have been through some in thing that changed me. This is the first time I talk to it in public. Yes, I know I’m beautiful, smart, worthy, caring, and out of all I’m Me; but there’s some people that didn’t understand that they shouldn’t take advantage of us. Like I said in many of my stories before my mom worked a lot and for that reason she would leave us with her friends to take care of us. Until, one day she said we staying with one of her coworkers wife. They had a beautiful home and they were nice. I don’t know what they were to her, but they also took care of the owners kids with us. The lady would treat us like her own. Girls I know sometimes it’s hard to trust people and after I’ve been through this I know also. This ladies husband would call my sister and I to come and sit on his lap while watching T.V.,but little by little as day goes by he would intentionally touch us in the wrong places. He would stick his tongue in my sisters ear and mine and bite it to. He would rub us all over and at the time I don’t think I knew what was going on. I’ve been sexually harassed and even though I didn’t get it worse as many of you guys I still was tormented for life. My trust in older people and my love for Mexicans went away. That guy was Mexican which was why I couldn’t stand my people at all. People who haven’t been through this will say stuff like; Why would that have anything to change you about?”,or stuff like can’t you just forget about it?”. In reality, No we can’t because once a woman been through certain stuff they start building their wall. Some women who are hard to get or hard to open are those victims. I know I don’t like talking about my problems because I never told my mom what happens until the other day recently we talked about it. It’s been about 10 years I want to say. Reason for my relationships with guys have not been the best. I always think to myself am I good enough for him, am I worthy, is he going to judge me, or stuff like will he love me still. I’m here to tell women don’t be scared to open up please we need more strong women out there to help one another. Women should be proud of who they are because we are all beautiful and strong. Girls who been through stuff and you have a boyfriend don’t be scared to open up and be you. I promise you they’ll accept you and appreciate you more. I learned the hard way but that’ll be in a different story. Also ladies listen make sure you speak to people you trust with these things. Honor and make sure you love yourselves FIRST. That’s my story and I know many girls been through stuff like that. I promise your future will get better it’s time to get up babygirl and rise to your future.
By Melissa Meza5 years ago in Viva
Dreams Vs Reality
For me being a skinny model was never in the cards. I came from a big family that has always been heavy or "big boned" as some would say. My father was 6'1 450lbs and my mother was 5'2 and just a bit thick. As luck would have it I inherited my fathers genes. I grew big and fast. In one year when I was only 10 I went from 5'4 to 5'10. That doesn't seem like a lot but trust me at 10 it is. The rest of my years growing would be an uphill battle. Not only was I tall but I was thick. I didn't have a butt, however, I had what I later learned was referred to as baby bearing hips. Wide ones. By the time I was in high school I was 6'1 and around 200-215lbs. I was active in sports and played basketball and did weight lifting. You would think that a girl with my height and my athletic build would be pretty fit but when I did the whole BMI thing I found that by being just 1lb over my weight limit for my height I was considered morbidly obese. Those words cut through me like a hot knife through butter. Me? The girl who was always active and always playing sports, morbidly obese!? Wow!
By Nicole Dunham5 years ago in Viva
Phoenix
The tattoo titled “Phoenix” was inspired by an autobiographical piece called “Stand In Your Body” which conveys empowerment, vulnerability, and a graceful strength that only women can have to directly contrast the two archetypes of the "delicate flower" and the "sex symbol". The chakra watercolors represent "Stand In Your Body". Highly saturated colors create a backdrop for white hibiscus flowers which represent the beauty in rebirth and the scent used to nurture femininity and healing from sexual assault.
By Jessica Shepard5 years ago in Viva
Why Fire?
In my tiniest tattoo lies the one with the most powerful meaning for me. It’s also the body art that is most ridiculed or questioned. It isn't the most expertly done one either. Fuego (Fire in Spanish) tattooed in my cursive handwriting. I never thought I’d get a word tattooed on my body. As a writer, for some reason I never wanted to mark my skin with words. I wanted to decorate it with art.
By Chris Stratton5 years ago in Viva
Mensuration and My Body Love
Excruciating mensuration pains kept me in bed all day Saturday. Sweating, crying and deep guttural moaning. It feels good to bleed 🩸 but the pain is immense. I love being connected with my body and allowing it the natural courses it needs to take, especially when it forces me to be present with my pain, looking it in the eye and feeling every inch of visceral shedding. When I can I avoid pain killers so I can support every part of myself, especially with pain. Pain is important, its designed in our bodies for a a reason. Living in a society that runs from pain is toxic and unnatural, numbing us to the sensations of life. Without pain what do we have to compare it to when we want joy? I am grateful to my body for supporting and holding me together (literally), for taking me places and for growing with me as I journey through life. For communicating to me the things I need, even when I don’t always listen.
By Heather Naomi5 years ago in Viva
Too Close
I was 18 years old during the summer of 2009. My family and I were off to Disneyland for a week-long vacation. I had a lot of fun throughout the week until the very last night. I was on my way to the hotel room after having a smoke. I had just come out of the elevator when someone approached me. He was wearing a solid white cook uniform and he rushed up to me to ask if I wanted to drink that night. I figured I might as well get drunk since it is the last night.
By Violet Holt5 years ago in Viva
5 Things You Should Know During Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Created with: INTIMINA.
Sometimes the things that are the hardest to talk about are the most important conversations for us to have. Unsurprisingly, cancer is one of those often-avoided topics. Discussions about cancer can be uncomfortable, unsettling, or sad. However, sharing information, offering support, and promoting community make these conversations invaluable.
By Jules Fortman5 years ago in Viva
Sour Apple Tears
November of 2008, Thanksgiving day rolled around, which also happened to be my 18th birthday. No party. No special plans. No company even. My friends were away with family for the holiday. Dinner at my house wasn’t anything too special. I finished my plate of the typical, traditional food, and locked myself in my bedroom for the night.
By Violet Holt5 years ago in Viva
