Western Kentucky residents are seeking solutions to issues of violence in the community. The Kentucky Council of Churches organized a forum this week in an effort to get a diverse group of people in the same room for a difficult conversation.
The Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida has caused a ripple effect felt even in rural western Kentucky. While violence may not be the first topic that comes to mind for an event titled “Conversation and Dessert,” Kentucky Council of Churches Executive Director Peggy C. Hinds said it was that incident that helped her culminate the idea for community discussion.
"Just the sense of feeling like, okay; it's time to not just sit back and wish we could do something, but to actually do something." Hinds said.
Breakout groups discussed racial violence, sexual violence and child abuse among other issues that could affect people on a local level. Angie Millis of Murray was at a table discussing how she feels when she sees violent speech against homosexuals from people on social media.
“I don’t know how as a human being, as one of God’s children, I can do a better job saying to people who say those things that it’s not okay with me. But it’s hard if you aren’t used to voicing those opinions in a public forum. But if I keep on listening to those folks...it’s like I’m saying it’s okay.” Millis said.
Murray State President Bob Davies mentioned a recent incident involving members of the Traditionalist Workers Party who had set up a booth in a campus gathering space. Their controversial presence has prompted an outcry on social media over whether or not a party the Southern Poverty Law Center identifies as a ‘hate group’ should be allowed to set up a booth on a school campus.
“I wrote a letter last week, and some of you disagree with it- and I hope you did. And I hope you talk to me about it. But we are facing a real controversial time, and in that letter we have two issues that collide: we are a country that is built on freedom of ideas, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, but also we will not tolerate bigotry.” Daviess said.
Community members were asked to come up with ways to combat a kind of violence they thought impacted their community. In addressing LGBT violence, one suggestion involved using correct gender pronouns and a need for better communication. At the end of the night, each person picked one thing they would commit to do and wrote it down on a index card to take home. Hinds said she hopes the exercise will carry a long lasting effect.
“When I finish tonight, I finish tonight with a commitment. I’m asking people to actually go and do something, not just talk about it, but go and do something. So if every person in this room goes out and does what they said the committed to do, then we are affecting change.” Hinds said.
