Commissioner Spotlight...Robert Murray, Commission Vice Chair

I consider it an honor and privilege to serve on Lexington’s Human Rights Commission.   Being a part of a group that has responsibility for addressing and eliminating discriminatory acts in any form is a great challenge.  Fostering respect, harmony, and goodwill among all our citizenry is an even greater challenge because when the latter declines it gives rise to the  former.  The safeguarding of human rights is an ethical and moral responsibility that we all share not just as members of a “Human Rights Commission” but as individual citizens.  

As an African American teenager and having grown up in the 60’s, I can vividly recall those times and experiences in which acts of discrimination and oppression were more the rule  than the exception.  Segregated schools, housing discrimination, job discrimination, you name it, I’ve seen it.   It is a painful part of my “not so distant past.”  Although our nation has surely grown and endured the “Labor Pains” of those times, “Motherland  America” has not yet given birth to a society that is totally free of those social ills.  As you might say to your child who constantly asks whether you’ve reached  an anticipated destination;  ”We’re not there yet.”  Are we progressing?  Yes… but the desirable end is still some distance away. The Lexington Human Rights Commission and groups of similar purpose still have much important work to do As we work toward greater social harmony, it just might benefit all of us to take to heart these wise and anonymous words of another, “Always remember to forget the troubles that pass your way, but never forget to remember the blessings that come each day.”  .  

Recently, we observed the Holiday celebration of one of our greatest leaders, the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  If alive today, he would be very pleased with the progress made on the one hand and disappointed with regression on the other.  Today, we live in a fully integrated society with the freedom to live, work, and prosper without fear of the kind of oppression and undeserved retribution known in the 50s and 60’s.  For this, Dr. King would be pleased.  On the other hand, he would remain very displeased with some aspects of our divisive political climate and what seems to be a desire by some to perpetuate cruel and unjust legislation.  He would not be pleased with Arizona’s infamous anti-immigration law and more recently, Kentucky’s Senate Bill 6 which is its southern counterpart.  Both pieces of legislation bare a tone of insensitivity and tend to stereotypically target whole groups as it attempts to address improprieties in part.  We must not allow Kentucky to climb aboard Arizona’s legislative bandwagon of insensitivity with the introduction of Senate Bill 6. If you’re not familiar with it, I urge you to read it and oppose it.  Our state and local politicians must be mindful that legislative ends must ultimately reflect a fair and just consideration for all who might be affected by it’s implementation.  To this end, I believe that Senate Bill 6 currently falls short.

Having been a public school teacher and administrator for 31 years and now a recent  retiree since 2006, I have availed myself for service on Lexington’s Human Rights Commission as a first step in becoming more directly involved in the affairs of local government.  As a member of this Commission, I now have great opportunity to participate in the vetting of many social and legal practices that lend themselves to questions of equity and fairness. I take this responsibility seriously and I welcome the opportunity to contribute my time and energy. I am hopeful and prayerful that while a member of this Commission, my service will always reflect the sincerity and commitment with which I approach this most important act of public service.    

Robert N. Murray is a retired public school administrator and teacher with a combined 31 years of service.  He is a graduate of Tennessee State University with a BS and Masters Degree in Health and Physical Education and Administration and Supervision respectively.  As an educator, he served on the Elementary, Middle, High School and Alternative Education levels in two states and three school districts.  He continues to sub teach on a limited basis for the Fayette County Public School District.  Robert is a husband and father with three adult children who reside in the states of Kentucky and Georgia.  He holds membership in a number of social, fraternal, and professional organizations and is a  member of the First African Baptist Church of Lexington, Kentucky where he serves as a Deacon.