Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Beauty Pageants: Inspiring or Degrading?
Imagine a six-year-old girl. Perhaps she’s your daughter, or your niece, or even just a stranger. She sits in a chair for hours, getting layers and layers of makeup put on, completely changing how she looks, and even gets a spray tan, changing the color of her skin. She wears fake eyelashes and bleaches her teeth. This little girl is completely changed to look like a mini-adult, for people to judge whether or not she fits a mold they themselves created of how a child should look, looking nothing like herself.
By Shannon Butler8 years ago in Viva
My Empowerment Kick
Something has been on my mind for a few days now. I don’t know how to articulate it, but this is me attempting to. I have been single for some time now, and while I consider myself to be a “relationship person,” I think I am finally starting to get a full grasp on myself and what I believe.
By Quinn Chapman8 years ago in Viva
Let's Take a Moment to Talk about Marion Zimmer Bradley
Nearly ten years ago, a book was put into my hands, as it was for thousands of other women before me; a beautiful work of fiction that would become a beacon of inspiration for many women walking a different spiritual path. It was a massive text that told the story of King Arthur, his queen, his knights, and his sister. This story was different though. Arthur wasn't the focus. Instead, his sister Morgaine was the focus and her path of spirituality. Arthur was merely a pawn. Morgaine had the focus and discipline we all craved to be dedicated to our faith. She was brutally honest about her struggles and strife. She was a heroine that we felt connected to because she had so many traits and personality quirks we could all relate to. The way the author, a stand out woman at a time when men dominated all industries, created a new world based on both history and fantasy captured all our minds, and had the power to rekindle our faith in a new way. Then, in 2014, Bradley's daughter had some things to say about her mother that rocked us all.
By Diane Nivens8 years ago in Viva
Femaleconomics and Politics in the Middle East
The role of women in the Middle East has long been a talking point among politicians, activists, men, and, of course, women in the West. Women's inability to drive in Saudi Arabia coupled with astronomically high female unemployment across the region due to political and social restrictions has been met with ire from countries that delve inward and question why the situation has not radically changed in the 21st century. Many hurry to crucify Islam for the sins of the Middle East and oftentimes gloss over socio-political variables that shaped the landscape of the region throughout history.
By Darragh Joyce8 years ago in Viva
#MeToo Is About You, Too
There were times in the past that I was sympathetic to the cries of “Not All Men,” but after a while I’d seen and heard enough to feel like it actually was All Men. It wasn’t in overt harassment, or openly sexist comments, but the accumulation of so many little things, the “microaggressions.” But after a while of putting up with the stereotypes, assumptions, and being treated as “less than,” they started to feel a lot like the regular old macroaggressions. It was everywhere. And worse, when confronted with information that suggested they—gasp!—might be in the wrong, the Not All Men were deeply offended and incredulous that we could possibly have interpreted their innocent behaviour as sexism. Just like the person who thinks it’s worse to be accused of racism that it is to actually be racist, we end up in a never-ending cycle of complaining and then having to deal with the tantrums and denial caused by the complaint. Well #MeToo has given us the opportunity to say “No More.”
By Katy Preen8 years ago in Viva
Why Being a Man Is Not an Excuse Anymore
I recently read Andrew Sullivan’s article for NY Mag entitled, “#MeToo and the Taboo Topic of Nature” and I have to say, I’m more than a little pissed. I found this article after reading an incredible piece by Lili Loofbourow reacting to this inane “men will be men because it’s in their nature to be aggressive” column coming from Sullivan.
By Lizzie Kreitman8 years ago in Viva
6 Upcoming Trends for 2018
Last year of 2017 was filled with many unique and interesting trends such as the iconic fidget spinner, glossy lids and lips, squiggly eyebrows, 80s vintage vibes throwing itself forward, and the revolution of activated charcoal. It's up for debate whether 2017 was a year filled with positivity and useful items or if it was just a complete waste of a year, but that's where 2018 comes in! The anticipation for new trends are flooding the gates of society and here is a list of six trends for this year that will keep you ahead of the game.
By Rae Hizzle8 years ago in Viva
"I Don’t Believe I Deserve Equal Pay to Chris and Dave": Amy Schumer Clarifies the Drama Surrounding Her Netflix Deal
Many held their own opinions regarding the recent claim that comedian #AmySchumer demanded more money from #Netflix after earning about the pay disparity between herself and comedy veterans Chris Rock & Dave Chappelle. Both Rock and Chappelle wanted $20 million for their respective specials, while Schumer was initially paid $11 million for The Leather Special. The claim made it seem as if the relatively new comedian believed she deserved the equal pay as two hardened comedians with decades of stand-up comedy experience under their belt, which didn't sit well with certain twitter users who believed the gap was a matter of experience. Others stated that one can't "come back for more money because the guy down the road made more."
By Ghezal Amiri8 years ago in Viva
Why Must We Be Kind to Creepy Men Just to Feel Safe?
It's the late afternoon, and you've just finished up at the office for the day. You're heading to the subway to catch the train home, picking a seat that tucks you away for the half hour it takes to get to your stop. With a sigh, you pull a book out of your bag and start to read. Your attention is pulled away from your book when you sense that someone is talking to you. A "friendly" man has just made a comment about your legs (wrapped in jeans and tucked into black polka dotted rain boots), mentions he's seen you on the train before and asks if you have a boyfriend. He has one hand in his pants and he smells like the tuna sandwich science project you found in the office refrigerator two days ago, but three of them, stacked on top of one another and jammed crazy far up your nostrils. You don't want to be rude, so you take a moment to consider your options before offering it to him. You feel a huge wave of relief when you realize he's heard you wrong. Other commuters give you quick-but-awkward sideways glances, the looks on their faces clearly glad that they chose not to sit where you're sitting right now. By the time you get home, you've already considered three alternate routes home from the office for the rest of the week.
By Delilah Jayde8 years ago in Viva
