Devastating news breaks on June 24, 2022. The Supreme Court has officially reversed Roe v. Wade declaring that the federal constitutional right to abortion in the United States has ended. This ruling erases nearly 50 years of precedent but this fight is far from over! On July 31st (next event on September 21st at 9:30pm!), The Meteor, a group of journalists, artists, filmmakers, and media leaders who embrace the value and importance of stories through the power of words, hosted Say the Word: A Night of Art and Action for Abortion at Joe’s Pub. This event consisted of various talented artists performing a personalized piece addressing this crucial moment in time. You will want to continue reading below to learn more about the event and performances along with further information about The Meteor.

On July 31st, The Meteor hosted an incredibly powerful event, ‘Say the Word: A Night of Art and Action for Abortion’ at Joe’s Pub. This event was entirely made up of volunteers including the MC of the evening, comedian Kate Rigg and award-winning musicians, artists and writers, Amber Tamblyn, Madison McFerrin, Dr. Heather Irobunda, Mishti, Marlene McCarty, Chase Strangio, Toshi Reagon, Padma Lakshmi, and Resistance Revival Chorus, joined by the New York Abortion Access Fund.

In the preparation for this event, one logistical detail was meaningfully curated into a powerful statement. The detail being the amount of time allotted for each performance. They concluded that each person would be given five minutes on stage to share their piece. Five minutes is the amount of time an abortion takes.

Each of the performers shared a piece of their personal experience, emotion, and responses to the Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade. These personal expressions were performed through empowering poems and shared personal experiences, as well as beautiful musical performances.

It is imperative to keep saying the word abortion and continuing to normalize its use. It is vital we continue say abortion especially when addresses this human right that will persistently be fought for. ‘Say the Word: A Night of Art and Action for Abortion’ created a space to come together in these challenging and trying times as a community through empowering ourselves and the people around us with powerful and artful words and stories.

A few of my favorite pieces included learning about the history of the color green and the use of the green bandanas as a symbol of health, for example Toshi Reagon's performance and the closing performance by the Resistance Revival Chorus. The color green has an important historical association to abortion and abortion rights. Inspired by Argentinian mothers who were protesting for the legalization of an abortion, incorporated green specifically green bandanas to represent the color of health. This use of green in relation to abortion rights is not a cultural symbol but a political one. Toshi performed her song I Hate - I Love where she engaged the audience through her powerful words and incredible voice. The Resistance Revival Chorus' performance reverberated joy and empowerment. This uplifting piece was the perfect way to conclude the event, reminding audience members to find empowerment through joy!

The overturn of Roe v. Wade is a shameful and devastating ruling, but our fight continues, and our voices will be heard!

To learn more please read our exclusive interview with The Meteor.

Where are you based?
The Meteor is based in New York City, with our team located around the country and our collective coming from around the world. The Meteor’s “collective” is an advisory group of artists, activists, journalists, and writers who inspire and guide our storytelling work and often lead projects and events such as Say the Word. You can find out more about the collective here: (https://wearethemeteor.com/about/the-collective/).

What inspired the creation of The Meteor? Where did your name come from?
The idea for The Meteor was sparked when a multi-generational group of activists and advocates gathered together—in Gloria Steinem’s living room!—to imagine what a home for modern feminist content and storytelling could be: A go-to resource for all of the people (not just women) who approach the movement for gender equity – and gender itself – with a sense of curiosity and a commitment to intersectionality. From the beginning, this founding group knew that this new hub would not be any one thing—such as a newsletter or print magazine. This new media platform would be a multi-dimensional brand, which would include long-form journalism and opinion pieces, social media from Instagram to TikTok, weekly news and limited-edition podcasts, video series, virtual briefings on policy issues, and of course, live events such as Say the Word.

The Meteor’s name was inspired by feminist and civil rights champion, Audre Lorde, who wrote: “I want to live the rest of my life, however long or short, with as much sweetness as I can decently manage, loving all the people I love, and doing as much as I can of the work I still have to do. I am going to write fire until it comes out my ears, my eyes, my nose holes — everywhere. Until it’s every breath I breathe. I’m going to go out like a fucking meteor!”

‘Say the Word: A Night of Art and Action for Abortion’ was an incredible event that created a space for people to come together as a community at this crucial moment in time of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Can you tell us a little more about the process and inspiration for this powerful event?
The fight for abortion rights and reproductive justice has been central to The Meteor’s work since our inception. Some of the first virtual briefings we hosted were focused on the implications of SB8 in Texas and the 2022 outlook for abortion rights. In January 2022, we released an Instagram video series, “My Abortion Story Is Not What You Think,” highlighting unexpected takes on abortion – from friends and partners, faith leaders and parents. Even at that time, we anticipated that we were commemorating the 49th and likely the last anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

When the SCOTUS memo was leaked, we started to speak with our collective about what more we could do given what we all knew was coming. Based on ongoing conversations with grassroots leaders in the reproductive justice space, we identified several ways to support their work: First, giving people accurate and up-to-date information about the status of abortion rights in the U.S; second, guiding people towards organizations they can support and actions they can take, even in blue states like New York; and finally, inspiring people to get involved and get active through the power of storytelling. The result was Say the Word, an evening and ongoing series of art, music, and community featuring incredible performers and activists that would bring people together and give them the urgency and hope that we will all need to draw upon in the months, years and even decades ahead.

How can we get involved? In what ways can we contribute and give back?
Continue to support organizations like the New York Abortion Access Fund who we partnered with for Say the Word, or donate to your local abortion fund. Reduce stigma about abortion by talking about it – including saying the word abortion – with friends, family and anyone who will listen. If you feel comfortable, share your own abortion story. If you have resources to donate to political candidates, consider doing so in states where abortion rights are on the line this November. During Say the Word, Chase Strangio of the ACLU said we need to focus on Georgia and Texas as critical states when it comes to abortion rights, transgender rights, and civil rights. And speaking of elections, vote. Every chance you get. Make abortion the top issue on the ballot not just for the presidential and the midterms, but for every single election that happens in your community. It might not feel like it makes a difference – but it does, every single time.

Are there more upcoming events we can mark in our calendar?
Yes! We’ll be back at Joe’s Pub on Wednesday, September 21st, for another night of “Say the Word.” Please join us.

How would you like to see more people get involved in the fight for female reproductive health?
We would love to see more people get involved in this fight by standing up alongside the activists and advocates who have been sounding the alarm for years, who knew this day was going to come because it has been the daily reality for far too many in our country for far too long. The truth is that this is not just about female reproductive health. It’s not just about women, and it’s not just about birthing people. It’s about all of us, and it’s about all of us supporting the communities who are going to be left more vulnerable and less safe because they have less access – or none at all – to a normal and effective health care procedure: abortion. It’s about people of color and their families. It’s about people who have fewer economic resources. It’s about people who live in more remote parts of the country, because now their zip code will determine whether they get to have full control over their own bodies. It’s about the country we ALL want to live in. There is no time to lose – learn, follow, raise money, donate money, call your legislators – every day if you have to – and vote like our lives depend on it. Because they do.

To learn more about The Meteor and The New York Abortion Access Fund, please check out their website and follow their Instagram below.

Website: www.wearethemeteor.com, www.themeteorfund.org
Instagram: @themeteor, @nyaafund
Twitter: @themeteor
TikTok: @wearethemeteor
Please donate to: The New York Abortion Access Fund and The New York Abortion Access Fund

Be sure to check out the Meteor’s next event on September 21st at 9:30pm!

Coming Together to Say the Word: A Night of Art and Action for Abortion