feminism
At its core, feminism is the simple conviction that women are equal to men in every regard, and should be treated as such.
The Gift Durga Ma Gave Me on Noh Ratri
On the first day of Noh Ratri, I requested in my morning prayer to feel Durga Ma's energy. I wanted to know what the Durga aspect of Shakti (the Hindi and Sanskrit word for universal feminine energy, and the Hindi word for power) is, like what she feels like, and what exactly she represents.
By Neelam Sharmaabout a year ago in Viva
Impressions from Watching Wicked Little Letters
When I was about seven, I wrote down all the curse words I knew on little pieces of paper and carried them with me in my tiny purse. I’d pull them out and share them with my friends, and we’d laugh hysterically. We knew it was forbidden to say them, which made it all the more thrilling.
By Lola Senseabout a year ago in Viva
Terror In The ER Waiting Room Reminds Me Why I Am Pro-Choice. Content Warning.
It Took Me Two Weeks. The pressure in my pelvis was dismissed as a symptom of my PCOS for two weeks before I gave in and decided to go to a doctor. I had a rough menstrual cycle at the beginning of September, so I figured I had an active cyst. No big deal, since I am very familiar with the process of 'riding it out.'
By Hope Martinabout a year ago in Viva
Self-Love Can Be A Finicky Business
I was made fun of a lot as a kid because of my physical appearance. My last post was a lamentation detailing my futile efforts to figure out self-love. I picked the concept apart, but that brought confusion. I asked questions to readers hoping to receive clarity, like whether changing my physical appearance in order to hide it or enhance it is self-love or self-hate.
By Neelam Sharmaabout a year ago in Viva
Women in a Man’s World
I had it planned for a couple of weeks. I was going to write my 100th Vocal piece on the film that ignited my love of classic film – Calamity Jane. It was showing at a local cinema and I was going to see it on the big screen for the first time. Then, I would write a breezy piece about Doris Day’s ability to pull faces and her fabulous voice.
By Rachel Robbinsabout a year ago in Viva
Is Plucking My Chin Hairs Self-Hate?
They called me Needle in elementary school because I was so skinny. I was picked last for sports teams. On top of the frizzy curly hair, over-sized glasses, and braces, my body became another one of my many unfortunate physical characteristics.
By Neelam Sharmaabout a year ago in Viva
Cathartic Writing and Holistic Healing
I hope that today's "mood" lasts. I hope that my inner voice, the one that is talking to me today and motivating me, wakes up with me tomorrow morning. Because today I've decided to forgive myself, be myself, and love myself. After many many years of psyche treatments, counseling, and cathartic writing, I'm going to make a concentrated effort to really love myself. I don't think I ever really have.
By Shanon Angermeyer Normanabout a year ago in Viva
