body
Feminism demands a future free of fat shaming, body obsession and the male gaze.
Meatpacking District
I was still young enough to have to go on holidays with my parents. My mom, however, did not come. We went to New York for whatever reason, I can’t remember why. It was May and my grandmother always said New York in May is the most wonderful thing. We stayed at a near to fancy hotel apartments called Affinia Gardens on the Upper East Side. I think it was on 64th and 6th .
By abril shaw5 years ago in Viva
Learning How to Enjoy Sex again
I had dealt with being a victim of rape so many times, that after a while I put walls up, refusing to let anybody get near me, even females. Sex was bad, dirty, always violent and whether that person loved me or not, I started to perceive all sex as assault. I couldn't bring myself to see any sexual relationship as loving or fun anymore, because every time I did, I got hurt, and here I want to reinforce that I was raped by both men and women which caused my fear to double, and for many years, I cut both out of my life, wanting to be alone for the rest of my life so that I didn't end up used as some female adult dirt-bag.
By Carol Ann Townend5 years ago in Viva
Thoroughly Modern Me:
I was in my bedroom, rummaging through my closet for an outfit to wear to our cast party. I had already pulled on my shiny black “shapewear.” I knew from experience that you cannot put these on like a normal piece of clothing. I had pulled mine out of the freezer, and flopped on my back like turtle that had been turned on its back. Then I wriggled and rolled and flopped around as I pulled what they called a girdle in my mother’s day over my defiant hips. With a final snap over my stomach, I pushed my elbows into the mattress, rocked back and forth, and hoisted myself up.
By Mindy Reed5 years ago in Viva
Why We Smile at Men Who Sexually Harass Us
Why are you always interacting with them? They wouldn't keep talking to you if you didn't involve them.” It's late at night and bitterly cold, and I'm waiting for a bus with my then-boyfriend at a bus stop. We've just left a show and are trying to get home, but our evening has been disrupted, and it's all my fault, apparently.
By Mind & Relationships5 years ago in Viva
My Sexual Assault Story
Pins and Needles by Jenny Bornios Rojas He took it away. My childhood, my dreams, hope. The hope that life could get better. But instead it got worse. He took away my innocence and the worth of my scream For when I screamed for him to stop He did not, only laughed and left a bruise on both my legs. What I wish he would’ve taken away Are the scars on my thigh from his nails digging in So I asked myself after Is my scream worth anything if no one is around to hear it? My words became stuck in my throat They became pins and needles that hurt me if I spoke. He left me useless and shattered Empty and defective I lost all the love that I had saved for myself. For it to be replaced with hate. A hate that I so wish I could share. But who to share it with? I can’t help but think it was my fault. I let him touch me. I let him rape me. I told my mother She said her brother-in-law would never do anything of the sort Yet, he was capable of taking my will to live away. I told myself, And I still can’t believe it. I don’t want to Because I fear that I’ll shatter again Even though I haven’t glued all the shards together. I was forced to sit at family gatherings where he stared at me He gave me a wolfish smile I could feel the anger boil inside me, ready to tell all. But the pins and needles made holes in my throat. So I closed my mouth and let the sun say goodbye. And let the night fall over me. And as I lay on my bed, I sob. I scream into my pillow no longer caring about the pins and needles in my throat. The wound opens again And I pray to whatever is up there That one day I’ll be able to speak.
By Jenny B.R.5 years ago in Viva
The First Step.
These are kinda tight, I thought as I wiggled left and right trying to squeeze into a pair of jeans. The fluorescent white light caught all the bumps in my thighs, whilst the precariously placed mirrors made sure I saw parts only a lover should. A few years ago, this size would have hung off me.
By Katherine Pollock5 years ago in Viva
Things They Never Tell You
It starts out like a normal day. You're sitting on the couch watching Netflix, you're washing the dishes from the night before or maybe you're concentrating super hard at work; your normal is no longer normal after today. Were you expecting a period that never arrived? Have you been trying for years and today is your nerve racking day to test? Or maybe like myself, you had no symptoms at all that Mother Nature's gift was being delivered. Something feels different, something has changed.
By Olivia Tucker-Wight5 years ago in Viva
