The Mayor's "Conversation on Race" resumes this week. Mayor Shane McFarland will hold a live televised briefing Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m. on Facebook and CityTV. Watch the briefing live on Facebook.
The Mayor's briefing will be a third "Conversation on Race" with Dr. Vincent L. Windrow. The latest briefing topic will focus on statues, symbols and flags.
Windrow is associate vice provost for Student Success and former director of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs at Middle Tennessee State University and has served as pastor of Olive Branch Church, 1115 Minerva Drive, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, since 1999.
The first "Conversation on Race" was conducted June 30 and a second followed on July 28 with two Murfreesboro police officers.
"I think being able to sit down on a regular basis and have honest dialogue is something we need to have," said McFarland. What I have gathered from the first two conversations is about a community coming together to discuss realities, misconceptions and tensions and moving forward together."
Windrow has helped to facilitate straight forward and honest dialogue about his experiences and experiences others have expressed about being black. "Before there are policies or any type of legislation, it starts with a desire to want to learn," added Windrow. "It's about learning and it's about growing."
The televised briefing will be carried live on CityTV and WGNS Radio and can be viewed on Comcast Xfinity channel 3 & 1094, AT&T Uverse channel 99, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV via Cablecast Screenweave, www.youtube.com/cityofmurfreesboro, and City website at www.murfreesborotn.gov/citytv.
The Facebook Live briefings are part of the Mayor's "Conversation on Race," a series of briefings McFarland decided to host on CityTV and WGNS Radio to discuss prejudices and preconceived notions about race and policing, and how we can all do better.
McFarland has previously stated that he plans to continue to have these conversations with Dr. Windrow and other citizens of community so challenges came be discussed together in real time.
The Mayor's briefings are intended to openly discuss the topic of racial inequities over the coming months. Conversations about inequities and change are taking place across many sectors of American society, including government, the workplace, neighborhoods, police and in politics. McFarland encourages the Murfreesboro community to join in the conversation.
