Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
New Meaning to the Term "Daddy's Girl"
As a kid, I was told I talk too much, so I shut up. Then I was told that I didn't speak up enough, so I started talking again. This cycle went on for a while until I decided for myself what I wanted. I got brave and bold after puberty hit around 12 years old and I was always speaking my piece. Thing is, as much as I talk, no one seems aware of how much I see and hear too. I am very observant and the one thing I have observed is the large amount of young women clearly raised by their mothers with very little paternal interaction.
By Kendria White8 years ago in Viva
We Need to Face Uncomfortable Truths. Top Story - November 2017.
Dear Male Reader, I have a question for you: Why do you hate me? Sometimes I feel like everyone hates me because they keep saying it was my fault. My fault for having decided to go out alone, or my fault for the length of the skirt I decided to wear, or even my fault for that one too many drinks I had. The blame is even worse if what happened to me was done by my intimate partner (being him a boyfriend or a husband). That's due to this weird "common sense" understanding that if I agreed to be in a relationship with that man, I automatically deserve everything that comes out of it, after all, it was my choice. Please, I can't understand, why do you hate me? Why am I to blame if it I wasn't the one to perpetrate the assault? Just stop and reflect for a moment, how can it be my choice to be sexually violated? My choices regarding personal fashion, alcohol consumption habits, and social circles are not synonymous with choosing to be harassed. No one ever put that power in my hands. But you male reader, like to put the fault on my shoulders when the ugly truth is that the only choice that mattered on the occasion of the violence I suffered was that of the man who did it. He was the only one who chose when and how would he abuse me. And I'm sorry to say it male reader, but you are the one who gave him that power. Because you as a part of our current social structure constantly reinforce that I, as a woman, am the frail sex but contradictorily you lash out with so much judgment when I am weak and vulnerable. Isn't that exactly how you want me to be? The damsel in distress is the role that is forced upon me. You must understand that even though it's very entertaining to play as the male hero in a video game going on a quest to save the princess, this brings the exact opposite of safety to real women. Because malicious men take advantage of our vulnerability, being it emotional or physical, to say an extremely invasive and inconvenient comment about our bodies, to grab our butts at a party, to decoy us of a cab ride home once we're tipsy, to shove us into a dark corner, to force us into unwanted sexual acts in our own homes. And they feel like they have the authority to do all these dreadful things because our pop culture is unceasingly putting us in a role of utmost submission. We DID NOT choose for such things to happen to us! So I ask you: why has the word "molested" become synonymous to "dirty"? Why is it me that has to live in shame with the label "raped" stamped on my forehead, when no one even mentions my aggressor? Moreover, why do you never allow me to speak about it? You need to stop taking away my voice because sexual violence is a very real social problem. I guarantee it has happened to someone close to you, dear male reader, maybe to a friend, a work colleague, a sister, cousin or aunt, maybe even to your own mother or wife, but you don't know about it because this woman lives mortified in the shame that you put on her, to the point that she doesn't dare speak up about what happened to her.
By Lena Marques8 years ago in Viva
7 Things to Never Say to a Survivor of Sexual Assault
1. "I'm not like him/her." We know, or at least we think we know. If we thought you were, you wouldn't be having the opportunity to tell us you aren't. However, there is always a part of us wondering if you are like them, if you're exactly like the predator that transformed us into what the rest of society deems as "victims." If you're really not like them, don't say you're not, show us you're not.
By Kimberly Duff8 years ago in Viva
The Lessons I've Learned from Having Women as Friends
The other day, I was thinking about all my past relationships—either romantic ones, from work, friendships, or family. And I realized something: the most real relationships I've had were with other women. More than that, I've learned so many valuable lessons from them.
By Carolina Carvalho8 years ago in Viva
Beautiful, but Broken
With each strike, across the face. With each vicious insult hurled her way, in a drunken rage, a small piece of her heart broke away. She was 15 years old and in love with the idea of love. He was 31 years old, and old enough to know better. However, because any grown woman could see through his outwardly charm, he instead chose to prey on an innocent, naive child. That child was me.
By Anonymous Survivor8 years ago in Viva
Me Too
Just today, I read a story that a woman had written about her experience with sexual abuse. It was titled "Me too." After reading her story, I felt that I owed it to myself to come clean about some of the things that I went through as a child. I hope that sharing my story will encourage others to do the same.
By Taneka Sky8 years ago in Viva
The List of Power Abusers Now Include Matt Lauer and Garrison Keiller
News broke out this morning about Matt Lauer's firing. It was announced on his former program on NBC's "Today Show." Another person who was wildly popular who used his power to sexually harass others. Another wildly popular and emulated celebrity who betrayed.
By Freddy Zalta8 years ago in Viva
We Are Beautiful
We as women have so much to be compared to. When it comes to the various platforms or social media, and how everything involves pictures (selfies) of ourselves. Which we filter and doctor until we barely look the same. I am writing this in hopes that we can come together and learn to love ourselves. Or for you, the girl reading this, that can’t seem to find a single beautiful feature in herself, to finally know how to love yourself. This is where I want to start, this is why I wrote this, to open the eyes of other women, to see what I see when I browse the internet, when on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, tumblr or any other site that pictures; I see hatred, and animosity towards other women when we should only show love and kindness.
By Atley Jeanine8 years ago in Viva
Dear Cis Male, Educate Yourself!
Dear CIS male feminist ally, I know you are there for me when things turn rough in the cyber world. But it does not matter how much you try to help your friends in the feministic strive for equality, as long as you do not educate yourself. So here is a rant of advice, just for you!
By Siri Sandquist8 years ago in Viva
#MeToo
In 7th grade I took the bus home from school everyday and I was one of the few girls that lived in the neighborhood. One afternoon this boy sat with me, I had my headphones in and tried to ignore him until he started touching my thighs. He said it was a "game" that they play, and you're supposed to let the guys touch you until you get "nervous". Yet, every time I would tell him to stop, he didn't.
By Maria Rose8 years ago in Viva
