The Murfreesboro mayor’s “Conversation on Race” resumed this week when Mayor Shane McFarland hosted a live televised briefing at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, on Facebook and CityTV.

Watch a replay of the briefing above or on the city’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/cityofmurfreesborotn.

Mayor Shane McFarland

Dr. Vincent Windrow

McFarland’s briefing was a third “Conversation on Race” with Dr. Vincent Windrow from Middle Tennessee State University, with the latest briefing tackling the topics of statues, symbols and flags, according to a city of Murfreesboro news release.

Windrow is associate vice provost for student success and former director of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs at MTSU and has served as pastor of Olive Branch Church on Minerva Drive since 1999.

The first “Conversation on Race” was conducted June 30 and a second followed on July 28 with two Murfreesboro police officers. McFarland said at Tuesday’s briefing that another conversation will be scheduled in the coming weeks.

“I think being able to sit down on a regular basis and have honest dialogue is something we need to have,” said McFarland in the release. “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, an MTSU alumnus, 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,” said Windrow. “It’s about learning and it’s about growing.”

The televised briefing was carried live on CityTV and WGNS Radio and was also available 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 the city website at www.murfreesborotn.gov/citytv.

McFarland, also an MTSU alumnus, decided to host these conversations on CityTV and WGNS Radio to discuss prejudices and preconceived notions about race and policing, and how we can all do better. His outreach comes amid a year filled with protests throughout the country against police brutality and systemic racism.

McFarland has previously stated that he plans to continue to have these conversations with Windrow and other citizens of community so challenges can be discussed in real time. The 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.

— By Mike Browning, PIO, city of Murfreesboro