body
Feminism demands a future free of fat shaming, body obsession and the male gaze.
Politics of Hunger
We are introduced to it young. We set our young eyes on female cartoon characters with impossibly tiny waists and grow up to see these same collarbones and legs on our magazine racks. It is so normalized we forget how truly unnatural and wholly unattainable it is. People may argue that our society as a whole has become more accepting of "thick" women, but despite this, dieting and hunger have not ceased.
Thai JudieschPublished 6 years ago in VivaHere’s Why I Started Wearing Men’s Deodorant
We all need deodorant. We have to wear it to keep from smelling like a giant pool of nasty body odor. Remember the first time you were introduced to deodorant? “Here sweetie, rub this under your arm to keep from getting made fun of during gym.” For some people it was like a rite of passage. You finally were old enough to shave your legs, wear deodorant, and do your own hair. What an amazing time.
Rebekah BrinkleyPublished 6 years ago in Viva"I Will Love, Honour and Cherish You": A Letter to My Body
Dear Body, I must admit, it seems a bit strange to be writing you a letter, as you and I have been indissociable for a little over twenty-six years.
Sophie de MerteuilPublished 6 years ago in VivaMy Menarche
I was 11 when I just started my period. But the problem was, I had no idea that I was having one. It happened at my grandma’s house. We were waiting for my parents to come home from an anniversary dinner when my grandma had me and my sister wash up for bed. She had my sister use the bathroom by the kitchen and she had me use the one near the office. She handed me a fresh towel and waited at the bathroom door to take away my clothes.
Heather WilkinsPublished 6 years ago in VivaOur Lives. My Decision
The day it started was the celebration of my mock trial team making it to the quarter finals. It was after school and everyone was so excited about our achievement and the fact that it was the last day till Thanksgiving Break. We had olive and sausage pizza with a cake for desert and a couple of chips and juices. The love and warmth was intense, but something didn't seem right.
Brianna ValenzuelaPublished 6 years ago in VivaMe Too
Today, I received a text from my little brother who is in the military. He said he was worried he was going to receive an administrative discharge from the military. I asked him what happened but it made me think about our childhood and how we grew up. The early childhood trauma for him and adolescent for me. I then began thinking about the #MeToo movement, and how powerful it had been and even though I had a story to tell, I stayed silent. I will no longer stay silent. This is my story.
Lela HarrisPublished 6 years ago in VivaThe Day All Went Wrong
They say that the cause of depersonalization starts from depression, anxiety, or trauma that wasn't completely tended to. And not everyone with depersonalization always remember how exactly those even began. Life was simple before the mess. My favorite song was playing while I was doing homework for my English class. My biggest trouble was wondering if my crush at the time was interested in me as I was in him. My mom was preparing dinner, telling me about her day. This was routine. Wake up, go to school, come home, talk to my family, do homework, eat, shower, go to bed, repeat. I had troubles here and there like every person does, but nothing so significant.
Brianna ValenzuelaPublished 6 years ago in VivaDisturbed
"Hm, you aren't as messed up after that incident than most girls that I know who went through the same thing," said a coworker I got close to.
Mai Kou LeePublished 6 years ago in VivaAn Ode to the Plus Size Fashion Movement
Throughout my life, my love and admiration for fashion and style have always been inherently deep. At a young age, I found myself fascinated with patterns, prints, color schemes, and even textures. In high school, I yearned for shoes, handbags or any accessory that showed the world exactly what I wanted it to see of me. My room, filled with images cut out of magazines, showcased pieces that I believed were the answer to any fashionista prayers. Yes, my love for fashion is genuine and wholehearted… but I can’t say that it has always loved me back.
What Survival Really Entails
Do you recognize the girl standing before you? The one you effortlessly destroyed. Do you recognize the humility emitting from her eyes, when you act as if it's okay to threaten her the way you did?
adriel cleavesPublished 6 years ago in VivaYou Are the Problem
You know what I'm talking about. We have all heard it at some point in our lives. Oh, she is so pretty, too bad it's not on the inside. Or she is such a nice girl, too bad she's not on the outside. That dress is so pretty but it looks so bad on her. Why would she wear that in public? Why do people we don't even know get to decide how we feel about ourselves? Why do family members and friend get to tell us whether we are beautiful on the inside or the outside? It is because we let them. We, ourselves, are the problem.
Update on My Rape Case
For a while I believed that my soul was permanently shattered. I believed that what this man took from me could never be retrieved again. My pain was so excruciating physically and mentally that every day was full of new struggles. I was lost in a sea of my thoughts day after day. Running from him was something I became an expert at. However, it didn’t diminish the humiliation and pain I’d grown to live with. He lacerated the core of me and it ruined a lot of things as a result. It was of subtle comfort when the courts granted me with one year of a sexual violence protection order. The max was three years and honestly what I had aimed for. He fought it. Because of course he can’t just admit to the horrible things he’s done to me. I decided to fight after that day. No matter how afraid I was of him, he couldn’t just get away with one year of a protection order. That had to be the lightest slap on the wrist. Sexual assault is everywhere around us. The perpetrators scare their victims into keeping quiet and it’s the most disgusting thing. When I decided to fight I didn’t know it would be so hard. I had anticipated that it would undoubtedly take time but I never imagined it would take this much time. I just want the whole thing to be over.
The Darkest SunrisePublished 6 years ago in Viva