Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Just an Observation
Just an observation: Recently a comment was made that really got me thinking about people, our society, and basically double standards among my own gender. During this time of race issues and violence that in so many instances are only related to the color of the victim’s skin, it is hard for me to wrap my head around critique of another woman’s professionalism, education, or skill set based on her appearance. Appearances in many cultures even within our own state, neighboring state, and/or country skew the norm for some very close minded individuals. From the psychological angle, the take is an outcry or expression of the aggressor’s own insecurity coupled with possible narcissistic idealization of one’s own superiority or “higher class” / status.
Carolee BaumgartnerPublished 4 years ago in VivaThose who make #metoo claims years later or for attention, fame, money or to ruin someone's career
I wanted to talk about this topic for a while. As a me too survivor I have to deal with people not believing me because of people who make claims that come at times that make people question the authenticity of the story. People throw the word liar around a lot when maybe the people are telling the truth. I want to talk about the people who make others question the me too movement. Let's talk about these groups individually first.
Lena BaileyPublished 4 years ago in VivaUnexpected
Dante woke up that morning with such excitement. It was July 4th, and he was going down to his girlfriend’s lake house for the next two days. He got himself out of bed and walked over to the other side of his bedroom where his phone charged for the night. He took his phone off the charger and looked at his notifications.
What it was like back then:
For me, #me too began in a flower shop in about 1974. We didn't call it that back then, of course. In fact, we didn't talk about such things much at all. I started looking for work as a very shapely, older-looking 14 year old in a large urban area. I did so not because we were living in poverty. Quite the opposite: my dad owned a very successful business. But I was bright and independent. Perhaps too much so for my own good. School bored me to tears - I could maintain straight A's while going to every class high. And dad and I could not get along - at all. We would fight for hours - literally and very loudly - most days when he came home, and especially if he had been drinking, which was at least once a week. It brought my dear mother to tears and entertained my brothers and friends and neighbors as they sat outside under the windows. It wasn't that we didn't love each other. I was the eldest child and only daughter and the apple of dad's eye. I was just growing up too fast and he was trying to put the brakes on a runaway train. I needed to escape and there was only one honorable and allowable way to do so - get a job.
Terry LermaPublished 4 years ago in Viva- Top Story - September 2020
RBG: 'Notorious' Was More Than a Moniker
Random outbursts of applause erupted from the steps of the Supreme Court building last night. Parents carried their children, many already in their pajamas, in one arm, and held up phones, candles, and makeshift beacons in the other — beacons in remembrance of someone who, for so many, was just that.
Joshua Luke JohnsonPublished 4 years ago in Viva On RBG's Passing
I grew up with a homemaker mother, a working father. I was raised to believe that women belonged at home, men at work. I grew up with conservative Republican parents as a bisexual woman, and I heard a lot of political discussions between my grandfather and my dad and my great uncles. Women didn't talk politics in our house.
Shentel DownesPublished 4 years ago in VivaStorytime: The Worst Thing My Boss Ever Did To Me
I still can't believe what happened. **Storytime Submission by Chinaza from Facebook. Story was slightly edited and reworked for grammar and clarity.
Jide OkonjoPublished 4 years ago in VivaHow to Look Like a French Woman
With the most famous brand of effortless chic - embracing the chic - who better to take the inspiration from our outfit styling than the French Woman? With the year of 2020 in view, It is the time to navigate and rethink the pieces we already own. In this case, we need to be more careful to not overdo everything.
Mariam PagavaPublished 4 years ago in Viva- Top Story - September 2020
OnlyFans Weekaversary
Just over a week ago I jumped head first into the deep end of a world I really knew nothing about, OnlyFans.com. If you know what this site is then i'm sure there was already a slew of opinions and thoughts that ran through your head the moment you got to the period of my first sentence. If you don't know anything about it, OnlyFans is a subscription based content creation platform that made a huge splash in pop culture because of its ties to nudity and explicit content. Right off the bat, this is one of the most controversial platforms that exist in our world today. So just as any other rebellious millennial, I of course had to press the "red button" and join. Its been one week, and I've learned more and accumulated better stories than the last 10 years of instagram and facebook combined.
- Top Story - September 2020
Paint
I was 14 when my father first told me I needed to start wearing makeup. "You start high school tomorrow," he had said. "You need to start taking care of yourself and making yourself look good."
Sarah PorterPublished 4 years ago in Viva 5 Types of Feminism
According to Britannica, “Feminism, the belief in social, economic, and political equality of the sexes. Although largely originating in the West, feminism is manifested worldwide and is represented by various institutions committed to activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.” There are many different types of feminism but here are five.
Chidimma BenjaminPublished 4 years ago in VivaParis Hilton is More Than a Cultural Icon
TW: EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL ABUSE, DRUG MISUSE, PTSD, AND OTHER PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMAS. I never in a million years would have thought I'd have something in common with Paris Hilton: trauma.