Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Who Is Gloria Steinem?
Few feminist names will ever be as big as Gloria Steinem's. Her name is one that has been inextricably linked with both the women's feminist movement of the 60s and 70s, as well as the Civil Rights movement. Among feminists, she's revered. Among misogynists, she's reviled.
Jules FortmanPublished 5 years ago in Viva
Not Feeling Motivated? 5 Hacks to Keep Pushing Forward
Some days, there is an almost tangible motivation that you can feel pulsing through your veins when you wake up in the morning. Other days…eh…not so much. With the new year here, it’s almost as if we are expected to feel some type of newness wash over us that guides us through the perfect business plan, social media strategy and works through the kinks of 2016. But things aren’t always this crystal clear. In fact, with that pressure, it can lead to a motivational struggle instead.
Two Super Easy Catwalk-Inspired Hairstyles for Autumn
If you’re anything like me, hair is basically your Achilles' heel (apart from crippling mental illness, I mean). I consistently get to the end of doing my *flawless* makeup, look at my raggedy new bob in the mirror and think… “Cool. Understated. No motivation to improve upon.” More often than not it’s a super chic, unbrushed, hanging by the sides of my face life for me.
Annie WaltonPublished 5 years ago in Viva
The Awful Truth About Fake Geek Girls
They stalk conventions in skimpy costumes, spending money on geeky merchandise, all to sink their claws into and seduce an unsuspecting Real Geek Boy. They'll flutter those fake eyelashes as they slink into a conversation on the latest installment of your favourite video game franchise, but don't let them fool you, they aren't
melscreechesPublished 5 years ago in Viva
Burn the Makeover Movie
There’s a lot of things I don’t miss about the noughties; low rise jeans and Juicy Couture velour rank amongst them. but the trend I most despise is the Makeover Movie. Also, here’s a disclaimer for the guys in the back; yes, being a feminist and an “ugly” teenager who had to wait till she was eighteen until her first kiss influences my opinion on this. It’s not that I “wouldn’t have a problem” if I was hot, it’s a case of I wouldn’t be the target audience. These movies are a goldmine of daydreams for nerdy teenage girls who harbour unobtainable popular crushes (*raises hand in admittance). They feed the mentality that “it’s not me, it’s my face/body/fashion/anything that makes up my identity and if I change it he’ll fall hopelessly in love with me and I can design the interior of our castle.” The makeover movie is a sub genre of teen films that follow a basic formula: Girl is unattractive, she likes boy who is attractive, witty sidekick persuades her to undergo a makeover, she is suddenly attractive because she now has make-up, contact lenses, and clothes that fit, boy likes her back, happily ever after. The thing is this template sells us fantasy dressed up in a high school guise; in the real world, a lovely, yet slightly plain looking girl who gets a "makeover" will look pretty much the same and odds are, the guy she likes will probably not glance her way regardless of what she wears. The problem is the makeover plot relies on and improbable event happening, but frames it in a realistic setting. The movies should be labelled fantasy as their plot lines are akin to Cinderella landing the cover of Sport Illustrated because the Prince found a girl who the glass bikini fits. But we bask in these films of the fantastical without any care for their source. Like the Miller's daughter in Rumplestiltskin, the director appears to turn the straw of everyday life into gold and we choose not to question his methods. This impossible feat is a trick of the eye; deep down we know this, yet we hold the counterfeit gold to our chests and wish we could afford the real deal.
Why The Handmaid’s Tale Hits a Little Too Close to Home
Since Handmaid’s Tale debuted this year I have been glued to the screen as soon as a new episode comes on. At first, when I tuned in, I thought it was another remake of the original book, The Handmaid’s Tale written by Margaret Atwood. I soon found out that the idea behind the book was still there but the TV series was set in modern day. I think what fascinated me so much about the terrifying things going on in the show was the idea that something like that could easily happen in the world today. In the TV series, it’s the United States that has been transformed into the dystopian world of Gilead. Thankfully, at least in the show, Canada hasn’t totally lost their mind. Yay us!
Kimberly LovePublished 5 years ago in Viva
“Made In Africa:” Changing Women’s Lives With Shea Butter
Rahama Wright, a first generation Ghanian, was no stranger to the difficulties that encumber women’s lives in Africa. Growing up, her mother would tell her stories of how different her childhood was versus Rahama’s in upstate New York. “She wasn’t allowed to got to school because she was a girl,” Wright reflects, “and her parents wanted her to marry very young.”
Eyeliner Failure
I don't know how to make up. I'm not entirely sure of the reasons why; that's a lie it's because I'm lazy. Now my basic makeup skills fit perfectly with my basic bitch lifestyle, yet there are days where I'm feeling adventurous and want to see more than mascara on those eyes! And yes I've watched the tutorials, I mean I've skimmed through the tutorials, and by that I mean I've re-watched the part where they apply it about 20 times, then I have a go and fail and get upset and start binge watching Gilmore Girls—again. I mean we've all been there!
Alice O'BrienPublished 5 years ago in Viva
Telling Tales: Why Survivor Stories Matter
Earlier this year, I attended a recovery program for survivors of domestic violence. The abuse had taken place more than 10 years previously, and it had haunted me ever since. The first time around, I tried to seek help, but I was let down by all the agencies that I sought help from: my doctor, social workers, the police. My abuser’s stalking behaviour and his tactic of threatening and harming anyone close to me left me isolated and without support. He was a charmer and the master of telling a good tale himself; with no evidence to back up his often extraordinary claims, those in authority took his word over mine.
Katy PreenPublished 5 years ago in Viva
Top 10 Films for Every Feminist
Face it, women on the big screen aren’t always accurately represented, or more to the point, they’re simply the "eye candy." That’s offensive, to say the least. Women are as strong and fight just as hard as men for simple things, like the right to vote, wage gaps, and a whole bunch of other things that men will never understand what it’s like to be without. Even when a movie producer aims to have that strong female lead, it sometimes tanks anyway because that’s just not how women work in real life. There are some amazing movies, though, that every feminist should see in their lifetime. The following ten films shed real light on issues and show women in the best way possible.
Allison K. JonesPublished 5 years ago in Viva
Today’s TMI Media Culture: Baiting Clicks At Women’s Expense
In 1994, at the age of nine, I received my first “serious” diary as a gift from my grandmother. Though I haven’t seen it in ages, I remember the look and feel of it quite well. It had a thick, puffy pink cover, canoodling teddy bears on the front, and an actual lock and key to keep my secrets safe and to myself. Admittedly, the contents were not compelling for anyone beyond grade school, as I primarily divulged current crushes, playground drama, and lunch line gossip.
I Was Supposed to Feel Empowered, Right?
Eric, 21—Nice smile and has a cute dog, totally right swipe material, oh he’s in. Jersey—left swipe. Josh, 20—EW he’s drunk in every one of his pictures... left swipe. Chris, 22—oh hello, handsome, right swipe. Oh this is awkward it wasn’t a match; maybe he just hasn’t found my profile yet? That’s what I’m going to choose to believe. Lance, 21—he seems okay enough...right swipe. DING DING DING! It’s a match! Okay his profile is boring and I have nothing witty to say about him so, I’m just going to go with a classic. A little while later, I realized maybe that was a mistake.
Emily SpencePublished 5 years ago in Viva
