beauty
“She wins who calls herself beautiful and challenges the world to change to truly see her.” - Naomi Wolf
Loving Yourself Isn’t as Easy as They Say It Is
Park Nicollet released a report with some staggering statistics about body image in young women including: 53 percent of 13-year-old American girls are unhappy with their bodies. This number grows to 78 percent by the time girls reach 17. 46 percent of 9-11 year olds are "sometimes" or "very often" on diets, 82 percent of their families are "sometimes" or "very often" on diets. Over 50 percent of teen girls and 30 percent of teen boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting, and taking laxatives.
By Makayla Richards7 years ago in Viva
Is It My Body?
I am an introvert, keeping to myself and avoiding confrontation. Yet, no matter how hard I try to blend in with the crowd or fade into the background, others always have something to say about my appearance or personality. Men and women both objectify me. Perfect strangers are just as guilty as long time friends and close family members. The comments range from painfully obvious observations ("Hahaha, you're so short, LOL") to erroneous assumptions (Wow congratulations, how many months 'til you're due?). I'm judged for every aspect of my being, from my petite stature to my voluptuous curves, from my ethnicity to my bisexual identity, from my physical appearance to the way I spell my name. I try not to dwell on other people's opinions, especially when they don't even know the real me. However, the human brain has evolved over centuries to be social, to care about our reputations, to crave acceptance and unity.
By Cheryl Lynn7 years ago in Viva
The Struggle Is Real: Black Woman Edition
The year is 2018. Hip-Hop is the most listened to and the highest paid genre in music, and being Black is a trend. Who would've thought? Especially after the many years of dehumanizing and demolishing the Black image. Even though this is still present today, what's changed? The role and presence of the Black woman, just to name one.
By Black Mulan7 years ago in Viva
Five Things Every Plus Size Girl Should Know
1. It's ok to feel like you are a queen/ Instagram model/ beast/ anything you want! Plus size girls are gifted with humbleness. We know what it feels like to be torn down, body shamed, and hated on because of our weight, but girl if you are feeling yourself you go! Be your own hype beast cause we can own the runway too. You don't have to be a size two to feel like a queen or have a million followers that like your post, or anything. You are your own self-motivator and if you feelin’ extra, honey, you work it cause I know I am not gonna let anybody tell me I can't be a queen. Try and take my crown and see what happens. So all my plus size queens wear your crowns' every day and when you start to believe your worth it, your life will change, because you are beautiful, humble, strong, fashionable, and yaaaaasss queen you are unstoppable!
By Maricella Flores8 years ago in Viva
Show Me How You Burlesque
When the movie Burlesque came out with Cher and Christina Aguilera, I couldn't stop watching. I was transfixed by the music, the flawless makeup, and the glittering costumes. However, I was raised in a religious home and to me it all seemed so inappropriate and taboo. But I couldn't stop watching it!
By Kyrsta Morehouse8 years ago in Viva
Bea-Utiful
The word "beautiful" is such an amazing adjective, but it's more than a word. It describes many feelings and actions, but it all starts within yourself. When someone calls you beautiful, do you feel that you are? Or do you feel validated? When you feel beautiful, you feel like you accept yourself with who you are and what you do. You love yourself. You have that control. On the other side, when you feel validated you go based off what others tell you. You need to be accepted by others. You crave for positive opinions from everyone but yourself.
By Lesley Neomi8 years ago in Viva
Why Are We Obsessed with Being Beautiful?
Ever since I was a little girl, I was taught—directly and indirectly—that women are supposed to be beautiful. Our role models as little girls were beautiful princesses who men sought and loved. They had everything we crave: the perfect face, the perfect life, the perfect guy.
By Sarah Ahmed8 years ago in Viva
