Columbus, Is This Who We Are?

As Columbus celebrates a historic milestone with the election of its first Black mayor, a troubling question hangs over our community:

Is this who we are?

In the days following Mayor-Elect Isaiah Hugley's victory, many expected spirited political debate. What we did not expect was the level of hostility, anger, and outright vitriol that has flooded social media comment sections and public conversations throughout our community.

Disagreement is part of democracy. Racism is not.

The comments being posted online have gone far beyond policy differences or political preferences. They reveal something deeper and more troubling. They raise legitimate questions about whether some of the opposition to Hugley's election is rooted not in politics, qualifications, or governing philosophy, but in race. The personal attacks, the animosity, the coded language, and sometimes not-so-coded language, raise an uncomfortable but necessary question:

Is this who we are?

Let's be honest. Isaiah Hugley entered this race with decades of public service experience. He served as city manager for more than 20 years and has spent a lifetime serving Columbus. Yet much of the criticism directed at him has often ignored his qualifications altogether.

Instead, we have witnessed a level of bitterness that seems disconnected from the facts. That should concern every citizen, regardless of political affiliation.

For years, Columbus has promoted the vision of "One Columbus" — a community united in purpose, committed to growth, inclusion, and opportunity for everyone. Businesses, civic organizations, elected officials, and community leaders have embraced that language. Public-private partnerships have been built around it. Economic development efforts have been marketed under it.

But today we must ask ourselves: Was "One Columbus" a genuine commitment, or simply a slogan?

Because when hateful rhetoric is allowed to flourish unchecked, it sends a message. When racist comments remain unanswered, it sends a message. When community leaders remain silent while divisions deepen, it sends a message. Silence is not neutrality.

This moment calls for leadership.

The election itself exposed deep divisions. On one side stood Isaiah Hugley, a public servant with decades of government experience. On the other side stood a candidate with basically no experience whose supporters believed represented a different vision for the city's future.

Corporate leaders, business executives, nonprofit organizations, faith leaders, and civic institutions must decide whether they will stand publicly for unity and respect or remain silent while division takes root. The future of Columbus depends on more than economic growth. It depends on whether people of all backgrounds believe they belong here and can lead here.

The election is over. The voters have spoken.

What should concern us is not that people supported different candidates. What should concern us is the level of hostility that has followed the outcome.

When discussions move beyond policy disagreements and become personal attacks, when race becomes the unspoken factor driving the conversation, and when social media becomes a platform for resentment rather than reason, the entire community suffers.

Some will dismiss these concerns. They will say people are simply expressing their opinions. But there is a difference between expressing an opinion and fueling division. There is also a difference between political disappointment and racial hostility.

Many residents are asking whether some of the reaction to this election would have occurred if the circumstances were reversed. It is a fair question. It is a question that deserves honest reflection rather than defensive responses.

The larger concern is what happens next. Will Columbus allow these divisions to deepen? Will community leaders remain silent while the rhetoric grows more toxic? Will the business community continue talking about partnership and inclusion without addressing the atmosphere that many citizens now find troubling?

Silence is not leadership.

If Columbus truly believes in unity, this is the moment to demonstrate it.

Corporate leaders, elected officials, clergy, neighborhood advocates, and civic organizations should speak clearly against racism, division, and political hatred regardless of where it originates. The future of this city depends on our ability to disagree without dehumanizing one another.

Isaiah Hugley will be the mayor of Columbus. Whether you supported him or not, he deserves the same respect afforded to every person elected to public office. More importantly, our city deserves better than the ugliness that has surfaced in recent days. The true test of Columbus is not whether we can celebrate diversity when it is convenient. The true test is whether we can embrace it when history is made.

So again, we ask:

Is this who we are?

If the answer is no, then now is the time for the leaders of Columbus to say so clearly and publicly. Because if we truly believe in One Columbus, then one community cannot remain silent while another is being targeted.

The future of Columbus will not be determined by who won the election. It will be determined by how we choose to treat