The launch event at the historic and beautiful Middle Collegiate Church in Greenwich Village on Tuesday evening was as compelling and dramatic as we had hoped and anticipated.

 

We opened with a stirring performance by the church’s gospel choir — and as the music poured out of the big open doors, out into the sparkling moonlit night, a crowd paused on the sidewalk to listen, and some came inside. People who came, stayed, and I think were impressed with what they heard — from Debra Haffner, Chris Hedges, Osagyefo Sekou, and me, and by the thoughtful moderation of Jacqui Lewis. I think we showed what a conversation about what a Religious Left can be — and cast in sharp relief the contrast between an authentic Religious Left and the faux religious left conversation we have seen in recent years — one characterized by by downplaying political engagement, dubious assertions about the demise of the Religious Right and the culture wars, and by emphasizing appeals to ”common ground.” 

 

Also on hand, and joining the discussion, were Dispatches contributors Chip Berlet, Frank Cocozzelli, and Shai Sachs. Kety Esquivel, who had a speaking engagement in town, was able to join us for the spirited after-event party that Sekou graciously hosted at the restaurant next door. It may very well be the greatest number of Dispatches contributors we will ever have in one place — many of us meeting in person for the first time. But it will not be the last time groups of Dispatches essayists converge to lead the necessary conversations of our time. It was our bringing together of seemingly divergent streams of interest and identity that made for some inspiring and informative conversation – before during and after the event. Best of all, it was also great fun!

 

The stated goal of Dispatches is to launch a conversation about how the Religious Left can become more dynamic by becoming greater than the sum of its parts. I think we achieved that. If you want to find out if I am right about that — the entire program was videotaped and will be posted on the web site of Middle Collegiate Church soon and will therefore accessible to a wider audience. 

 

The energetic conversation continued the next day as Dr. Lewis, Rev. Sekou and Chris Hedges (on the phone) and I joined Laura Flanders on Grit TVwhich is broadcast on several cable and internet outlets, notably FireDogLake (I am told that Laura will have Debra Haffner on soon too!)

 

I know that I speak for everyone associated with the book in thanking Middle Collegiate Church for their commitment and vision – and all they did to make the Dispatches launch event memorable and a great success. We clearly have much to do — but the Dispatches launch event was the kind of catalytic event we had hoped it would be, and that much will happen for all of us for having done it.