body

Feminism demands a future free of fat shaming, body obsession and the male gaze.

You Said You Loved Me
It's true, I didn't expect the anxiety to settle in to the cavity you left in my chest. I didn't expect to get so attached either but at the same time I knew it was going to happen anyway, I'd been alone for so long.
By Jude Boatman5 years ago in Viva
Call of the Wild
CALL OF THE WILD Charlotte rested in her twin bed tucked away and alert, predicting the nightly visitor she had become familiar with. That night, the rain drips sounded loud, louder than ever before, knocking against the glass window. So heavy the rain falls, Charlotte is reminded of her Pa’s hollow guitar he used to play, sounding her and her younger brother Ted off to bed. Trying to fall asleep, she secured herself beneath the hand woven quilt her mama had given her. It’s soft texture made her smile briefly. However, she is unable to relax and enjoy the memory for too long because Uncle Pete would show up soon for his usual nightcap – at least that’s what he’d call it.
By Prime Tyme Fitnez5 years ago in Viva
Being plus size
I have hated my size since the time my last child was born. I never took into consideration that my size was because my last 2 babies were born 1 year and 8 days apart. I never lost the weight before I was pregnant again. Also I had gestational diabetes through the last pregnancy. Let me go back a little and tell you a few things about my size and struggles.
By Gail S.5 years ago in Viva
Because I Wanted It At First
I think I lost my mind, I think I lost my passion, and somewhere in time I think I lost myself too. Sitting in a bathtub with my face in my hands, tears streaming down my face. I was shaking, but honestly the worst part was that I was confused. I didn’t know what he had done to my body until two weeks later. I told myself that I wanted it, and I even lied and told my friends that it was the best sex I ever had.
By VikingIndie5 years ago in Viva
WE AREN’T THE PROBLEM.
“I was wearing pants, I had my legs covered; I had a long sleeved t-shirt on, covered those distracting shoulders we are always told not to show. I even had a coat on, and a belt. Nothing about what I was wearing stopped him.”
By Shallom Kimanzi5 years ago in Viva
We Need to Talk
My experience took place when I was seven. I’m not going to go into detail, partly because over the years I’ve pushed a lot of them out of my mind. It almost feels like a weird nightmare at this point, 20 years later. Also, I take trigger warnings seriously and wouldn’t want anyone to be affected by the violent details I do remember. What I will say is that it involves being locked in a closet with two younger brothers while the older brother played video games with his back against the door. All of the perpetrators were under 15. And because of something some people familiar with fundamental religions call “the two witness rule” no one was ever charged. My attackers grew up and moved away unscathed. No one ever knew.
By Samantha Williams5 years ago in Viva
Letter to My Rapist
You’re a rapist but I’m stupid and weak so it’s my fault. You raped me [says name]. Everything is different now. I don’t get excited when you call me. I don’t feel like keeping you in my house when you come by. I am in a trance of bracing myself and being defensive towards anything and anyone.
By Kadrian Oliver5 years ago in Viva
My Life
A Glimpse My sister and I were at my grandmother’s house lying on a mattress that was placed on the floor. We were down on the mattress when uncle Jean walked into the room, inebriated - his breathe, reeking alcohol. I was only eight years old at that time and my sister was just four. He laid on the mattress with us at the bottom where our feet were positioned, with Vaseline in his hands. Curiosity wouldn’t let me be as I stare oddly at what he was about to do with the Vaseline. Few seconds later, I felt a sensation down my feet; uncle Jean was massaging my feet with the Vaseline. I remember him going up my legs and that of my sister’s too, but I can’t remember anything else from those filthy sessions. Years later, Tanya, my sister, came to consciously remember what had happened to her; she remembered being molested.
By Dawana Davis5 years ago in Viva
Sexualising Women’s Bodies in Yoga
The other day I had a nasty encounter with a man in the street. In order to get to my point quicker I’ll keep this part short, but he was incredibly vile. He followed and verbally harassed me in a sexual manner whilst grabbing and rubbing his penis from the outside of his shorts. I said the only thing I could think to say in the moment which was, “You’re a c*nt!”, and tried to move on.
By Freya Edmondson 5 years ago in Viva
Why did you stay silent?
“Why did you stay silent for so many years?” is my favourite question among all the others I often receive. For a long time I claimed it was my fear of him, my family, or what people would say about me, but the truth is that I was only eight years old when it all started.
By Jatsue Sanvicente5 years ago in Viva
Kegel Exercises: what they are and their benefits
If you have not heard of Kegel exercises, you will surely hear at least hearing the use of Chinese balls to strengthen the pelvic floor. Kegel exercises are a serie of actions developed by Dr. Arnold Kegel in the 1940s for patients with urinary incontinence. Yes, it was a man who created that women strengthen our vagina today.
By Astarothkuu5 years ago in Viva
Experience that changed my life
I am 21 years old woman and it is just the perspective of my, young woman, who are not against all men, view. I can start with statistics and all the data around the world about how many, how young girls have been sexually attacked, insulted or just manipulated by opposite of sex. Even though, this time I am going to talk just about my experience.
By Mysterious A5 years ago in Viva