When the Murray Ledger and Times posted a picture of the “March on Murray” demonstration to its Facebook page on August 28, a man responded as follows: “Trump should declare martial law and shoot them.” After months of observing the pro-Confederate counter protesters, the Calloway County Fiscal Court, and the swarm of bigots who seem to live in the comments section of our local news outlets, I am increasingly convinced that the man does, in fact, speak for many in America’s “friendliest small town.”
Responding to the same post, another local resident quipped that because many protesters were students, they “should not have a say.” Later that weekend, a similar social media post which falsely accused protesters of attempting to vandalize the statue asserted that the protesters were “outsiders” bussed into town by “Antifa.” These bizarre accusations instigated the comical but dangerous spectacle of 60 armed men “guarding” the statue in Paris, Tennessee against these nonexistent marauders.
Disdain for “outsiders” is widespread in Murray, and it is unacceptable. I was not born here, but my two daughters were. One was born at Calloway Hospital just this past Sunday. As a parent whose children will grow up here, it disturbs me that I must help them understand that despite Murray’s monument to white supremacy, and despite neighbors who threaten violence over a peaceful protest, Murray remains a hometown worthy of admiration and love.
Murray is full of racists who know nothing about the history they claim to defend. But it is also full of courage and compassion. The hundreds who marched through the rain to court square last Friday reminded me of why my wife and I have chosen to live here and raise our family. This is our town, too. We aren’t going anywhere.
Dr. Ray Horton
Murray
The foregoing was a "Letter to the Editor" submitted to and printed by the Murray Ledger & Times. The entry has not been edited and is presented as it was printed on the date listed with the entry.
From June 5, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2021, the Murray Ledger & Times printed 50 "Letters to the Editor" related to Murray's Confederate monument. Those 50 letters were written by 38 different people; and of those individuals, 22 were in favor of relocating the monument, 11 wrote in support of it remaining in its present location and five did not take a clear stance on either side. The letter above is part of a collection curated by The Sentinel to provide an overview of the sentiments expressed.
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