Pat Taub
I’m whisked into a celestial landscape where the light is so dazzling I wish I had sunglasses. While I’m struggling to adjust to the light, a disembodied voice calls out, “I have your visitor’s pass. I understand you would like to meet with some of our distinguished spirits to help you sort out your confusion over the current state of American feminism. Is this right?”
I nod affirmatively and presto a dinner table with a white cloth and a sweeping arrangement of cala lilies appears in front of me. There are six chairs around the table.
“Take a seat and I will summon the spirits I have selected for you.”
I do as I’m told and one by one, they arrive. Molly Ivins, looking amused, followed by Elinor Gadon, who smiles benevolently, as she calls out to Ursula Le Guin, “Don’t keep us waiting.” In quick succession, Faith Ringgold and bell hooks rush in.
The spirits join me in taking a seat around the table
FAITH: “I’m starved. Can we eat and talk?”
Faith Ringgold in 1993 in front of her story quilt,”Tar Beach”
MOLLY: “Fine by me, but I’m still waiting for a good ole Texas barbecue.”
Molly Ivins as a young reporter at the Houston Chronicle
Like magic, crystal goblets, fine china and table settings appear along with a large platter of poached salmon graced by potatoes and steamed artichokes. (Apparently Molly is out of luck.)
bell: “From my perspective, the major problem with the second wave was its failure to reach out to Black women and other minorities. Once privileged white women gained entrance into law and medicine and the board room, the movement lost its steam.”
bell hooks delivering a lecture
URSULA: “Agree. Privileged white women lost their focus on dismantling the patriarchy and challenging Capitalism, which seduced them. Capitalism’s power is not inescapable. ‘Any human power can be resisted and changed by human resistance . . . Resistance and change often begins in art, and very often in our art, the art of words.’”
Ursula Le Guin alongside her quote that could be a rallying cry for women everywhere
FAITH: “Exactly. My life’s work was devoted to creating paintings, radical quilts and children’s books that sought to empower black women and offer stories of hope for black children.”
bell: “You don’t have to be a famous artist or writer to get your message across. Write feminist actions into the stories for your writing group,. Paint or sculpt empowering images in your art or ceramic classes. A side benefit: you’ll feel instantly empowered.”
ELINOR: “It grieves me that the Women’s Spirituality movement that was once so strong among American feminists has practically vanished. Women thrived on gathering together in circles where they invoked ancient feminine spiritual icons like Hildegard von Bingen and African deities. An American Women’s Spirituality that incorporates feminine religious figures from all faiths can be a powerful force for female empowerment.”
Elinor Gadon
MOLLY: “Don’t become so serious that you forget to have fun. Incorporate humor into your actions as in clever social satire or street theater.”
URSULA: “Use your powers of imagination to create the world you want to inhabit. Think outside the box. Create a circle of women dreamers who imagine the world they want to inhabit for themselves and future generations, and begin to build this dream block by block in your community. Maybe it’s helping migrant women and their children, sending Care packages to the children in Gaza, or organizing peace marches.”
FAITH: “Round up local artists and ask them to spearhead an action where they lead public school students in making banners to address climate change or peace in Gaza.”
bell: “A resounding Yes to supporting the young generation of women (and men) who might see feminism as not applying to them. Raise issues important to them: abortion rights, default on student loans and the burning of fossil fuels.”
ELINOR: “Pat, I’m sorry, this is all we have time for. Your visitor’s pass just expired.”
PAT: “Thanks to everyone I feel renewed and hopeful. When can we meet again?”
MOLLY: “Not until you utter your last breath. That could be awhile. Your work isn’t over. Go forward, raise hell and kick the patriarchy in the ass!”
Celestial Spirits Bios:
Faith Ringgold (1930-2024) Painter, author, mixed media sculptor, performance artist, and activist, famous for her story quilts that depict life among Black Americans.
Molly Ivins (1944-2007) Newspaper columnist, Houston Chronicle, and author, known for her humorous and insightful writing.
bell hooks (1952-2021) Author, educator, social critic; best known for her writings on race, feminism, and class. Among her 40 books, two favorites are Teaching to Transgress and All About Love.
Ursula Le Guin (1929-2018) Science fiction writer whose books explored themes of gender, environmentalism, anarchism, and anthropology. Popular reads are The Left Hand of Darkness and The Dispossessed.
Elinor Gadon (1925-2018) Art Historian. Her book, The Once and Future Goddess is a foundational study in Women’s Spirituality.
