Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
The Events Following My Rape
The numbness was snatched away when the doctor inserted this plastic instrument inside of me. I tried not to yell, attempted not to complain at the first sign of pain but all of a sudden I felt like a monster was inside of me and it just kept getting deeper and deeper inside of me. All of a sudden all I felt was pain all I saw was red. All of a sudden I felt like he was inside of me again. I felt like I was being raped all over again. All around me, a bunch of strangers keep telling me to hush that it’ll be okay. But thats a lie, I know it will not be ok. In this exact moment I wanted my birth giver, the only person who could help soothe my soul but somewhere after the red wore off I remembered she’s dead. I called my aunt hoping she can provide some kind of solace for my already crippled psyche, along with my body. None is provided, kinda hard to reach out when my hands seem to be permanently glued to my sides. I don’t know how I cope. I just do, I push everything down until I am alone. Until it all comes vomiting back up, I wanna scream. I wish I didn’t tell the people I care about the most because I feel like they don’t look at me the same anymore b/c they don’t. I don’t want to silently suffer but I know no other way. Every time before this, my feelings were disregarded not by the people who care about me the most but by the people who were supposed to care about me the most but didn’t. Or couldn’t or whatever excuse we’re making for them today. I cried in the shower today because I tried to talk to God, and he didn’t talk back. Or maybe I couldn’t hear him over all the sobbing, I turned the lights off for my shower today b/c it seemed easier. Today I saw red and swallowed shattered brokenness. Today I took 8 different pills to prevent pain, pregnancy, and infection. Today loving the world was as hard as loving myself. And I don’t feel strong enough for either.
By Ann Jackson8 years ago in Viva
Learning to Love Your Body
Between media messages and social pressures, it can often be hard to love your body. Sometimes self-love and confidence can even be shamed as vanity and narcissism. But none of that should stop you from rocking who you are and loving every second of it! You are an attractive and lovable being. These five tips will get you on the path to loving your body and learning to respect yourself as you are.
By Alina Gallupe8 years ago in Viva
The Panopticon of the Patriarchy
The patriarchal society lived in today is commonplace. Women find themselves constantly shorted in conditions ranging from violent rapists found innocent to girls told to cover their shoulders in school so as not to distract the boys in the room. These circumstances are a direct result of a panoptic mechanism abducting the idea of masculine power as dominant over femininity and fixing it into society so subtly that people rarely notice or have the ability to protest it. Foucault presents the central idea of Panopticism in Discipline and Punish: power is “visible and unverifiable,” (555). The sexist society in the United States exhibits these symptoms. For example, as Berger shows the reader in Ways of Seeing, men are visibly seen as favorable in art. However, it is essentially unverifiable because there is no sure way of knowing the inspiration, the intent, or the impetus behind the artist’s painting — consciously or subconsciously. Foucault’s presentation of the Panopticon directly represents and results in the relationship between male and female in today’s society as shown in Berger’s work, Ways of Seeing. As Berger puts it, “Men look at women. Women watch themselves being looked at” (47).
By Amelia Clare Wright8 years ago in Viva
8 Things to Consider Before Committing to a Vivid Hair Color!
This is a list of 8 things to consider before committing to a vivid hair color. 1. It is a process! If you are wanting to switch it up and go vivid, then you NEED to understand that it is a process! In order to put a vivid color on your hair, your hair needs to be light, and if your hair is dark, this may take more than one processing venture; you have to be patient with the process and trust your Stylist to know what is best for your hair along the way!
By Beki Keraly8 years ago in Viva
Skincare Routine
I have always been a skincare junkie, mostly because I have had terrible skin growing up. I have tried everything under the sun to get rid of my pesky acne. From over-the-counter meds, online dermatology services, various creams and what not. After years of refusal, I finally did my research and went to see a real dermatologist. Turns out, I have hormonal acne, which is why my skin would be clear one minute and then freak out the next; usually when it’s around that time of the month.
By Aleksie Alvarado8 years ago in Viva
Types of Birth Control
Birth control is now more readily available than ever before, and the truth is that there are new options coming up every single year. If you want to make sure that you've gotten the right birth control for yourself, you really can't rely on others to help educate you about your options.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart8 years ago in Viva
New Semester, New Wardrobe!
As a new semester approaches you find yourself looking at your closet and wondering what's appropriate from your summer clothes, yet what's presentable for the classy lady you are. The first week is when you should try and set a great tone for the semester. This is a great way to build your confidence on the start of your semester.
By Vesselina Raltcheva8 years ago in Viva
16 of the Most Wished for Affordable Bikini Sets on Amazon
Amazon is one of the best places to go if you love to get bargain buys on fashionable clothing. As of right now, the monolithic online marketplace has become famous for having some of the most affordable clothing out there — especially when it comes to swimwear.
By Emily McCay8 years ago in Viva
Famous Male Feminists
Feminists are among the toughest group of individuals fighting for equality and women's rights — and we need them. They're very passionate in their beliefs and are standing by all women across the world to gain their rights. But did you know that not all feminists are women? It's true! There are male feminists who have the same beliefs and want to gain rights for women. It looks like not all men are non-feminist douchebags, huh?
By Jacqueline Hanikeh8 years ago in Viva
