body

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

I Know Why They Call You a "Hoe"
I KNOW. I know what it is like to be molested. I know how it feels to be violated by a family member and a friend of the family. I know what it is like to have to keep the secret out of fear that you will get in trouble or hurt if you tell. I know what it is like to be molested by someone of the same sex, and in turn become confused about your own sexuality. I know what it is like to think that you were just ‘playing a game’ when in fact someone was stealing your innocence. I know how it feels to be so ashamed that you cannot even tell your closest friends, because you do not want them to look at you or your family differently. I know what it is like to feel as if you are going to throw up when someone touches you in the same way that an abuser touched you, even if that abuse happened 30 years ago.
By Aly Oh5 years ago in Viva
Catcalling Is NOT a Compliment
For most, the ideology that catcalling is not flattery of any sort, is pretty clear. But it’s for those who don’t see catcalling as problematic that we must shine light to such a curable annoyance. Now, catcalling can be binary, but it’s an alarming amount of men that don’t see any harm in objectifying women. It is more annoying than anything else being one step away from physical harrasment,yet, guys have been getting a bit more creative during Covid-19. It took a pandemic to finally bring relief to Westernized women. Yes!, finally, we can protect ourselves not only from germs, but predators as well. The masks that are tirelessly stressed and emphasized by the FdA and the CDC are now a requirement for any social activity. They cover roughly 50% of face, aren't very cute nor comfortable but very practical. Now, I wear sunglasses on the norm so that typically - yea you get the gist. 100% face-covered. Ladies, our faces are literally hidden from the outside world. Shut out. Blinders. Yet, somehow, an ultra pesty, persistent prowling man will still manage to holla'. It is beyond me. A study from the Stop Street Harassment organization, showed that 99% of women have experienced some form of street harassment.
By Cyn Kitt6 years ago in Viva
The Third Date... #MeToo
My First Kiss Two weeks before High School Graduation I finally got the courage to talk to the first guy I ever felt feelings for. I was warned by friends that I should be careful. I said I would take it slow and I did take it slow. After High School Graduation we discussed our first date. During this time I lived thirty minutes away from him and neither of us had our licenses but we were both 18. We were just late bloomers when it came to getting a license. For the first date we agreed on a place near his house so met each other there at the place.
By Jan Jas6 years ago in Viva
My Rape, Changed My Life.
Some women have a higher body count because they’re put in a sexual situation that involves pressure from a man. “I’ve said no - and they beat me.”
By Allyson Flower6 years ago in Viva
Women Hold Up Half the Sky
Women Hold Up Half the Sky The room had flowered wallpaper—tiny pink flowers on a taupe background. On the wall, a mother and child rocked gently, sweetly, under a breeze-blown willow. In the room itself, surrounded by poles, tubes, and silver things, a clean bed quietly waited, a large white pillow poised to cradle a weary head. Over the side rail hung a thick, fluffy tan blanket, needed as much for cushioning as for warmth. Across from the bed, a tall, burnt-honey wooden cupboard stood, doors open, offering hangers and extra blankets. A freckled ivy sprawled over the top. A kind young orderly attended to my safety and comfort as he eased my swollen body from the wheelchair to the bed.
By Lisa Smith6 years ago in Viva
Murky Halloween
As a freshman in college, I had never been to high school, and therefore, really had little to no social life experience. I associated with adults primarily and didn't know how to interact with kids my own age (17). I had never really had any experiences with alcohol before and didn't really know what it would do to me.
By Katarina Cirillo6 years ago in Viva
The Sins Of Maryam
Everyone has a dark past. Including Maryam. And hers is something too humiliating to tell. Too vivid to forget. A memory she so desperately prays to erase from her mind. Maryam always prays. Raised as a Muslim, she was taught and trained to oblige and beseech for God’s forgiveness. Five times a day. Yet she can never seem to shake off her past. It keeps lurking around. Stalking. Waiting to pounce and stab her in the back. The more she tries to break away, the more it strangles her. Her dark past is one odd story. One with no marked beginning nor definitive end.
By secretsonneteer6 years ago in Viva
It's Only Logical: A Sexual Trauma Memoir
My eyes appear in the dark, the jade encircling the noir. I maul an idea until I notice a rhythm, a pattern. My pupils focus; I see the downward motion—pushing, pulling, biting, I throw my head back, hands down, unleashing a compact bliss. My own depth darts to me, moving toward the French doors, looking for leaves that sway until the incapacitating winter. The wheat bristles wave and the leaves shake me. My mind runs to something banal as my hand runs down my body; my skin awakens. The twilight air flows in, and my mind, awake, turns toward my heart, inducing an anxious bliss that wakes me up and simultaneously kills me. To breathe at once into consciousness, an anxious flush makes way through nervous bundles and the axonal abyss, shooting stars into my heart. This rush is a shock that tumbles me into the darkness, into the woods and looking at myself while looking at everything else. The waking are startled in a hunt for green, seeking a letter that lost itself on its way to me. Like the purloined letter, I remain unaware of the message’s contents.
By Jennifer6 years ago in Viva
#MeToo
I know I'm a bit late to this movement but better late than never; and when better to dig up past trauma than the middle of the night ya know?
By Katie Parish6 years ago in Viva
Military Reckoning
Right now, all over the news and social media is the horrific story of Vanessa Guillen and her tragic murder. The Army investigators say they have found no evidence of her being sexually harassed but her family thinks otherwise and I'm inclined to agree with them.Her death is one of many casualties of the United States military and its toxic culture issues. The military has long had a problem with sexual harassment/assault within its ranks and a reporting/ justice system that often harms the victims further. A large group of women veterans/servicewomen wrote a letter outlining demands to improve the failures of the service, titled “Women Vets & Servicewomen Demand #JusticeforVanessaGuillen - 4 July 2020”. I encourage you to give it a read, so many women risked putting their names out there and standing up for justice, that you can at least spend a moment to view it.
By Mikayla Daniels6 years ago in Viva
Telling My Story
It all came to a head when I was 8 years old. The sexual abuse I had suffered for years was progressively getting worse. It started out rather innocently at first. My uncle cornered me more times than I can count while he was babysitting me. Sometimes when we were alone, he would grab me close to him and force me into a hug. He rubbed my bum in a circular motion that I came to despise. He said, "Come here and give your uncle a kiss.” I obeyed because I thought I had to. "Now give me a bigger one. Open your mouth,” he said as he pulled my head towards his.
By Stacy Davenport6 years ago in Viva
Its the price WE HAVE to pay I Don't Think So
Right now it doesn't matter if you are in the military or not, if you were ever sexually assaulted, molested, harassed or any way man handled in a way that you don't appreciate or you said no too; then you are my Battle. You are Vanessa Guillen's battle, because we have been there, I was just the unfortunate one to live.
By Phoenix 6 years ago in Viva