Murray faith leaders are creating a video for social media calling for unity and empathy amid divisions over COVID-19 safety measures including face masks.
The initiative is called “Better Together,” and was spurred by Murray High School teacher Michael Robinson. Robinson said he was inspired to create the video after an incident in which he witnessed an individual become belligerent toward staff and patrons at Calloway County Public Library when the individual was told to wear a mask.
“I was both angry and very sad, angry and upset at how people who I think of very fondly and who are friends were being treated, and people who I knew were just trying to do the right thing,” Robinson said. “This is my way of trying to address that situation and maybe help someone else to make a better decision.”
First Baptist Church Senior Pastor Keith Inman, St. John's Episcopal Church member Brian Clardy, First United Methodist Senior Pastor Jeff Rudy, First Presbyterian Church Pastor Renee Meyer, Glendale Road Church of Christ Preaching Minister Steven Hunter, and retired pulpit minister of Glendale Road Church of Christ John Dale, were among the faith leaders who came together on Murray State University’s campus to record the video.
These faith leaders and members quoted figures such as former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush while recording segments of the video, emphasizing a message of cooperation and empathy for one another. Glendale Road Church of Christ Preaching Minister Steven Hunter said while he doesn’t love the idea of wearing a mask, his church requires masks for Sunday services not because he "loves" the idea, but because it’s the responsible and safe thing to do. He said he also encourages people to wear a mask in public places that require it.
“Everybody is so tense because of everything that’s happened...we’ve been in uncharted waters for a few months,” said Hunter. “Because we’re looking at the big picture, we’re willing to subject our personal preferences for a greater good.”
Michael Robinson said since many people look up to faith leaders in Murray, he believed they would carry the message of unity and empathy well. Robinson also said their message could be extended toward the divisiveness surrounding the debate over a Confederate monument in downtown Murray. Robinson said he didn’t have an immediate timeline for when the video would be posted online.
