AUGUST 7, 2003 marked the New York area launch of Reverend Devon Dick's book 'Riot to Rebellion: The Jamaican Church in Nation Building' at the historic First Presbyterian Church, Orange, New Jersey.
Former Senator and now Community Relations Officer of the Jamaican Consulate, Janet Madden, advised attendees to pretend that it was Independence Day. For at least one man in the room, the author who toiled to create his first manuscript, there was no need for pretence.
Moderator of the Presbytery of New Jersey, Reverend Dr. Alfred Johnson, the master of ceremonies for the launch and book signing, began the evening with introductions of speakers, including clergy from the Jamaican Clergy Association of New Jersey and Jamaican-born politicians from NJ area, that were on hand to assist with this ceremonial commencement.
Councilwoman the Hon. Elsie Foster-Dublin, President of the Borough of Highland, referenced the book's sub-title "The Jamaican Church in Nation Building" early in her short address as she urged the members of the standing room only crowd to build a Caribbean nation in the USA. She had recently attended the CARICOM Heads of Government conference and felt inspired to exhort the audience to come together to educate community members, she said, as well as to enlighten those who insist on asking questions like "What part of Jamaica is Barbados in?".
SCHOLARLY WORK
In the critical book review that followed, theologian and Harvard graduate, Rev. Delroy Reid-Salmon, praised 'Riot to Rebellion' for its insightful description of the initiative taken by the church in the construction of a nation even before the efforts of the government. Reid-Salmon also recognised the book's contribution as a piece of scholarly work, calling it one of the most comprehensive theses on the subject to date. However, he took Dick to task for his unfinished critique of the church, which neglected the detrimental effects of classism within the religious institution.
The occasion was brought to a close by the author who devoted his final remarks to the expression of gratitude. Reverend Devon Dick thanked his publishers, Ian Randle, as well as organisations, associates, and relations who made financial and emotional
contributions.
"I gave one of the first copies of the book to my sister, Marva who insisted on paying for it because she saw the role of friends and family as supporting the author," he said. "Today as I look around this room, all I see is family and friends." He nevertheless presented complimentary copies of the book to Councilman the Hon. William McKoy, the President of the Borough of Paterson and to Ms. Anna Aschkenes, Executive Director of the Middlesex County Cultural Heritage Commission, New Jersey. Then the Reverend signed and dedicated all 35 books.
Reverend Devon Dick's publicity tour included two radio interviews with WWLIB and WWRL and he plans a similar campaign in September in the United Kingdom. The book can be bought online from the Gleaner's website www.go-jamaica.com and at leading bookstores.
