Top Stories
New stories you’ll love, handpicked for you by our team and updated daily.
''Blackfishing" Is The Modern Day Version Of Blackface
We are living in an age where non-black people are using a modern form of blackface that enables them to get opportunities because of this “Black Aesthetic.” However, black women struggle to get the same opportunities that people who blackfish do.
Petiri IraPublished about 16 hours ago in The SwampWhere Love Begins
I've known Matt for over ten years. We met at freshman orientation in college and became fast friends. After graduation, we were lucky enough to land jobs at the same company, and our friendship only deepened.
"Crazy" Not To Love.
Living in Bremerton, WA you get at least six months of a rainy grey filter on your life. In spring, when the sun finally breaks through the clouds to warm your skin it is magical. All you want to do is spend time outside. The streets, and trails, are suddenly littered with people ready to take on the PNW outdoor lifestyle. People walking, riding their bikes, hanging out with their furry pals, and people eating. There are, admittedly, tons of “mom and pop” local places around town to grab a bite while you are out. Although, none like Crazy Eric’s hamburgers.
Franchessica HannawackerPublished about 21 hours ago in FeastAn Open Letter to Who I Used to Be
To anyone reading this: This is a letter that I've decided to write to myself at this time last year, when we didn't know what the actual hell COVID-19 was going to bring in the coming months, or how serious this pandemic actually was. I remember that I was super unsure about what the next steps in our lives would be, and I remember just feeling like everything had flipped upside down, and that I just somehow had to deal with it. So, now that I've lived through whatever 2020 was, I wanted to write a letter to myself that I would've loved to have.
Sabrina JamesonPublished about 22 hours ago in Humans
My Advice After 500 Vocal Stories
This has been four years in the making. When I first joined Vocal in 2017, I didn’t really have an idea how many posts I would make. I wasn’t even sure if I was going to stay on Vocal. I kept having my stories rejected for ‘low quality’ pictures that weren’t the right size, broken links, under 600 words, spelling and grammar and their personal favourite; vocal does not accept religious content. The only work I’ve not been able to publish was a poem was was an open letter to God. Just the mere fact that I’ve mentioned those words is enough to my work to be rejected. I’ve seen it happen to others and it happened to me lots of times. Other than that, I’ve had no problems uploading my writing on Vocal.
Chloe GilholyPublished about 23 hours ago in JournalUn Sueno en Rojo
Grace lounged on her plush crimson sofa. She absently ate cherries from a bowl on her coffee table, relishing the last fruits of the season. The dark red juices left sweet traces on her full lips as she twirled a stem between her thumb and her forefinger. Her gaze fixed upon the white canvas on the easel in the middle of the room, the easel’s thin wooden legs dividing the room into unequal parts, like the way her mind felt divided and separated and pulled apart.
Rachel Paris WimerPublished 2 days ago in HumansThe Sponge Is Mightier Than The Sword
Spring is upon us! The spring cleaning bug is in the air and I want to help make your to-do list a breeze. Keeping your home clean is an act of self-care, not a chore to be avoided. A clean home enhances not only your physical wellbeing but also your mental health. Scheduling time to maintain your home each week will make the cleaning process smooth and maximize the enjoyment you get from your home.
The Creative ChimeraPublished 2 days ago in Lifehack
Does Every Couple Have a "That's Us" Couple?
Does every couple have a couple they look at and say, "Oh yeah, that's just like us!"? If you read that question and immediately thought of a famous (or not) couple that you compare to you and your partner, I guess that helps get me closer to an answer about how many people do that!
Dani BananiPublished 2 days ago in Humans
One Direction Songs as Books
Have you ever been listening to One Direction and thought, “gosh, I would love to read a book that has the same vibe as this song?” Probably not. But, on the off chance that you have, the list below is for you. I can’t exactly explain my methodology here—I just took the idea and ran with it. Whether your a directioner or not, I recommed all the books on this list.
Delia Anderson-ColsonPublished 3 days ago in GeeksI Am a Published Author
I am a published author. Not just on the blogging sites I frequent, or the anthology collection of someone else's dream. I am holding MY story. MY imagination is in my hands.
Kaitlyn DawnPublished 3 days ago in PoetsThe Mindfulness Exercise that Changed Everything for Me
I strongly remember one instance where I was doing absolutely nothing. I was in Pacific Grove, California - having just rolled into town the day before. My partner Steven and I were living out of our Dodge van with our two dogs at the time - and it had been a particularly shitty day.
Sierra VandervortPublished 3 days ago in Longevity- Created with: Hairstory
I Replaced My Shampoo With This New Hair Wash for 30 Days
Believe it or not, my hair and I have had a very tumultuous relationship. Growing up with these crazy natural curls, I always hated how ‘different’ my hair was- being the only curly girl in my family and in my school. Because of this, I began straightening my hair for special occasions like holidays and school dances which escalated into straightening my curls every day for years! At the same time my naturally blonde hair was looking dull and I began highlighting my hair. As you can imagine, all of this processing and straightening led to so much hair damage! Because of all of the damage I was constantly putting my hair through, it began breaking, and breaking…. and breaking until I was forced to do the ‘big chop’ that is so common for girls with damaged curls. I ended up with chin length hair that looked amazing and healthy, but of course, I didn’t learn my lesson and was still straightening and highlighting my hair.
Tiffany WoodPublished 3 days ago in Blush 
How Dogs Have Boosted Mental Health During the Pandemic, Meet 3 Dogs Changing Lives
Since March 2020, most of us have been leading lives of isolation, often struggling with loneliness and despair, but these three at-home-heroes have been making life a little easier for their new found families. Humans have a long-time relationship with the canine species. Affectionately coined as (wo)man’s best friend, dogs have been a large part of our lives for thousands of years. Recent studies published in October 2020’s issue of the Science Journal (Vol. 370, Issue 6516), say that number is over 10,000 years to be exact. It’s clear that we have always valued and understood the many benefits of the human-dog relationship, but now, thanks to this new pandemic lifestyle, we are even more keenly aware of the value of a dog.
Samantha KaszasPublished 3 days ago in Petlife
Approaching Re-Entry
Generally speaking, April is a month with a good reputation. It represents the spring holidays, the weather getting nicer, and calculating your tax refund. April is featured in soft ballads evocative of springtime warmth like “April Come She Will” and “April in Paris.” April is even the name of the most hallowed of pop culture figures, a beloved sitcom character.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished 3 days ago in Resources
How COVID Helped Me Love My Body
COVID changed just about everything last year. I consider myself lucky to have my health, but the pandemic changed the landscape of my body in a way that I struggled to come to terms with for a long time.
Julie MoonPublished 3 days ago in Humans
Flash Your COVID Vaccination Card and These Are the Discounts and Freebies You Can Get
We’ve compiled a list of restaurants, services, and shops offering discounts/freebies for those who have been vaccinated and have their COVID-19 vaccination card. You’ll want to keep reading - we found deals that have you covered for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and more!
Jennifer BarnesPublished 3 days ago in Lifehack
Confessions of a Sex Tape
The suggestive suggestion One, two, three pairs of feet tangle within one another excitedly in bed. Not the usual image of a healthy relationship but who is to tell you what healthy is in a relationship? After all, some people spend an immeasurable amount of time married, bored and often feeling alone. I vowed to never feel that way in my relationship but I've been there too. Feeling completely ignored, ugly and wondering why he doesn't want to touch me tonight. Well, the truth is, I'm sure at some point he has felt the same. But, right or wrong, women are very good at forgetting that men feel just like we do and attention-craving works both ways.
Kayleigh TaylorPublished 3 days ago in Confessions
5 Horror Films Based On True Events
Truth is stranger than fiction. As a horror fan, I have seen my share of movies that claimed to be based on true stories. For some films, it is just to get more publicity like The Blair Witch Project (1999) and Paranormal Activity (2007) while for other films like Jaws (1975) and A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984), they are the real deal. Welcome back to the creepiest page on the internet. I’m your narrator, Kevin and today I will be counting down my top picks for 5 Horror Films Based On True Events. From the infamous shark movie that kept swimmers out of the water for decades to the slasher film that made you never want to sleep again. I will be talking about some of the most famous horror films that were based on real life occurrences. Let’s begin.
CreepVersePublished 4 days ago in HorrorThe One Thing I Love The Most About Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris is a phenomenal woman. She is not only beautiful, inspirational, accomplished, bold and strong, she is also a mover and shaker in her fields of endeavour. Women and little girls from all over the world are in awe and are looking up to her.
Creator Spotlight: Laquesha Bailey
Laquesha Bailey is an expressive, kind-hearted soul currently based out of Ottawa, Canada. Being nearly 2,600 miles from her birthplace of Trinidad and Tobago, she continues to widen her worldview as she perseveres through undergraduate Global and International studies with a specialization in Latin American and Caribbean studies.
Vocal SpotlightPublished 4 days ago in Resources
