Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Viva.
Rape Apologists List that Needs to Be More Heard
This is a rape apologists list that needs to be more heard. "Well what was she wearing?" A women's clothing should NOT give you the urge to force yourself onto her. It's her body and her clothing should not be a distraction to you. Men are topless quite a lot but you don't see a woman forcing herself onto him and saying "He was topless what did you expect?" So what's the difference if a girl wore a crop top or a low shirt?
By soph lauren7 years ago in Viva
Everything Is Bad for You
Yes, I smoke, I drink, I drink Diet Coke (oh no, aspartame!), I even eat red bloody meat and worst of all, I eat fried food like it’s going out of style. I know these things are obviously bad for me but I mean, if I die tomorrow or even in the next two hours (dying tomorrow is too cliché), I want to know I’m going six feet under with a belly full of terrible shit I loved and lungs as black as tar.
By Anik Marchand7 years ago in Viva
#Metoo
I was roughly 20 years old when I got into my first serious relationship. I had been severely depressed and desperate to find someone who would love me. In my mind, I was ugly, fat, and unlovable. I turned to the only thing I knew of at the time: Craigslist personal ads. That’s where I found him—let’s call him J.
By Chelsea Kay7 years ago in Viva
Me Too. Not Me.
Just before I left for vacation, I published two of my short stories on Amazon. One is about a ghost who witnesses her own funeral and features my most popular character. The other is a tale that I should have probably written more of, but in just 1,500 words I drive home the point about what males go through when they are sexually assaulted. It was a story that started out as one concept and morphed into this piece that I am incredibly proud of. While talking about it with a few writer friends, one of them said something that struck me. She told me I should use the hashtag me too to promote the story. The sheer cynicism in that statement shook me to my core.
By Edward Anderson7 years ago in Viva
I Am Everything
Why do people think that rape is something that you can just forget, like it never happened? It’s a violation. It’s a reminder that your body is not your own. Your body belongs to society. You have no choices; no say in who touches you, who penetrates your very soul. You are not a person, you are a piece of meat to be consumed, a toy to be played with.
By Belle Bledsoe7 years ago in Viva
Dress for the Weather, Not the Calendar
It's mid-fall down South. While everyone else North of the Mason-Dixon is racing to slip on their Barbour jackets, tweed, and the like, some of us are still experiencing temperatures in the high 80s, with plenty of humidity to boot. While traditionalists argue that at this point its far past time to have the whites, linens, seersuckers and such away in storage until next Spring, I strongly oppose the notion. Just because the calendar reads late September or October, it doesn't necessarily mean it's time to break out the fall regalia with careless aplomb. If it's still sweltering outside, these superfluous rules certainly don't apply.
By Al Castiel7 years ago in Viva
#MeToo
I was 16 when I first realized that church deacons like 'em young. One night, I was an usher at a funeral for one of our deacons who had passed away. I went to the kitchen to take a breather for a moment. The church was packed with mourners, and having become close to the deacon and his family I was one of them but trying to comfort the others. It became a little too intense, and after reading the 23rd Psalm and almost breaking down, I thought I would hide for a moment until I regained composure.
By Maisha White7 years ago in Viva
Victims are People, Too
Your Honor, I would like to address the court and Mr. St. John so they know what has happened to me — not only the crime that has taken place, but the lingering effects and residuals that continue to haunt and live inside me. By making this statement, I am hoping to transfer some of the pain and suffering out of me and reduce some of the effects it has caused, in living my day-to-day life.
By Marianne Ryan7 years ago in Viva
We Are Girls, Not Your Toys
December 16, 2012, would have probably been just another day for the 23-year-old paramedical student returning after watching a movie with a friend if Delhi had a safe public transport system. She would have lived to turn 28 on May 10 this year had the police reined in rogues in a white private bus that had no business to be on the road that night.
By Anmol Dhaliwal7 years ago in Viva