Race vs. Ancestry: Problems with Blanket “First Black” Coverage

A depiction of an ADOS family standing before their burned home in the Jim Crow South, representing violent destruction of ADOS prosperity. ADOS formed close-knit, self-sufficient communities after slavery — with nuclear families building their own schools and towns. This stability fueled white supremacist fear and envy. ADOS uniquely bore the brunt of rising discrimination under Jim Crow in the late 1800s-1900s, limiting social and economic gains, after centuries of slavery, despite rapid progress post-emancipation. Photo credit: AI-generated image using MidJourney.

The “First Black” designation has long been used to highlight achievements and milestones for African Americans. However, some argue it is time to retire this label, at least when it comes to honoring “firsts” specifically for Black, Negro and African American descendants of United States chattel slavery (ADOS).

The original purpose of noting “First Black” accomplishments was to the progress of ADOS, those whose ancestors’ forced free labor built the foundation of United States. This label served as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that despite centuries of oppression and discrimination, African Americans were capable of achieving great things.

Sheila Jackson Lee, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and longtime Congresswoman is currently touted as the first newly elected Black female Mayor of the City of Houston, Texas. Although her husband is ADOS, Lee is of Jamaican parentage and has been criticized for her close ties to the Democratic establishment and her lack of focus on the unique challenges faced by Black American descendants of US chattel slavery. Photo credit: Earl Gibson III | Credit: Getty Images

In recent decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of individuals who identify as Black but do not have ADOS ancestry. This is due to a variety of factors, including the increasing number of interracial marriages and the broader adoption of the term “Black” as an umbrella label for people of African descent. As a result, a significant number of Black firsts have been celebrated, including in areas like business, politics, science, and the arts. On the surface, this indicates progress. However, on closer examination, many recent Black firsts are being accomplished by individuals who are not descendants of slavery in the US.

This image depicts an early 20th century immigrant family from Jamaica arriving on Ellis Island, New York —part of a long history of Jamaican immigration to the U.S. dating back to 1619. Major waves followed in the 1900s-1960s, with many settling in New York and later Florida and Massachusetts, driven by labor recruitment programs and opportunities like the Caribbean Migrant Program, as well as family reunification. Photo credit: AI-generated image using MidJourney.

Since 2001, several Black firsts honored with “First Black” coverage in major media outlets were immigrants or the children of immigrants, not descendants of slavery. These include former Secretary of State Colin Powell, TV host Trevor Noah, Rhode Island Democratic Congressman Gabe Amo, New Jersey Supreme Court Judge Fabiana Pierre-Louis, and many more.

While the achievements of Black immigrants and children of immigrants deserve acclaim, using the “First Black” designation for non-ADOS obscures the distinct ongoing struggle faced by ADOS. It conflates the Black experience into one monolithic group when in fact ADOS have unique historical plights and justice claims related to the legacy of chattel slavery, Jim Crow laws, housing discrimination, and other structural obstacles tied directly to the multi-generational oppression of their ancestors.

When Black immigrants or children of immigrants earn top roles and accolades, the “First Black” narrative glosses over the fact that they may not have faced the same systemic hurdles as their ADOS counterparts. It creates the illusion that representation and access for Black people overall has substantially improved, when in reality the disparities and roadblocks for ADOS largely remain.

Former White House Aide Gabe Amo (D), is being heralded as the first Black Congressman for Rhode Island. Amo is of immigrant Ghanaian and Liberian descent. Photo credit: AP Photo/Steven Senne

There is firm reasoning that the “First Black” label should be reserved solely for highlighting ADOS pioneers in fields where they, as a distinct ethnic group, remain underrepresented. Doing so would maintain the original purpose — signaling progress specifically for American descendants of US chattel slavery towards true equal opportunity. A re-focused celebration of ADOS barrier breakers would keep attention squarely on this community still overcoming historic injustices.

Retiring or limiting the “First Black” designation for non-ADOS achievers could encourage more nuanced coverage of minority accomplishments. Reporters should tell fuller stories that acknowledge the ongoing struggles faced by many ADOS, and note when trailblazers actually descend from slaves in the United States. There are likely still many relevant firsts to be celebrated for ADOS. But without more precise language, those milestones may be obscured and progress for ADOS lost in broad “First Black” accolades where the recipient’s ancestry tells a different story.