By Traci Talbert
During Black History Month many concerns and questions arise about race, personal agency, and executive orders' impact on the national discourse. But beyond policy and politics, I ask a more profound question: Are we genuinely engaging with the essence of Black history, or are we simply reacting to written mandates?
As a Black woman, an Adjunct Professor, and the Racial Justice and Community Engagement Director for the Franklin County Community Development Corporation, I wrestle with the purpose of our collective efforts. Affirmative Action, signed into law 60 years ago, was meant to ensure fairness—giving people the freedom to exist without fear of being judged or denied based on race, culture, or gender. And yet, has the spirit of justice and equity truly been embraced, or have we settled into complacency, relying on policy to do the work?
History is meant to be more than a timeline of past events—it's an evolving transformation narrative. It is the lens through which we examine social, economic, and cultural shifts. But when we look at Black history—not just slavery, but the systemic structures that followed—what do we see? On the surface, much has changed. Yet, when we look deeper, we recognize that racism has become more covert, embedded in systems that often go unquestioned.
At the Franklin County CDC, we remain committed to racial justice—not as a checkbox or a performative gesture, but as an intentional, ongoing effort. Black History Month is not just about acknowledgment; it is about introspection. How are we each showing up in this work? How are we challenging ourselves, our workplaces, and our communities to move beyond rhetoric and into action?
So, I ask you:
- Who will you be in the work of racial justice?
- What daily self-reflection will you commit to?
- Are you waiting for policy to tell you what's right, or will you take responsibility for creating change?
For me, the question remains: What's Law Got To Do With It?
True transformation does not begin with legislation—it starts with us.
As you reflect, remember this: most policies and laws were historically designed to exclude. Let's ensure that our actions—individually and collectively—work to dismantle exclusion, not reinforce it.
Traci Talbert is the Racial Justice and Community Engagement Director at the Franklin County Community Development Corporation.
