What is a “Foundational Black American (FBA)”?
The term Foundational Black American (FBA), was popularized by filmmaker and activist Tariq Nasheed. Referring specifically to Black Americans who are direct descendants of enslaved Africans brought to the United States. Unlike the broader term “African-American,” which encompasses all Black individuals of African descent regardless of when or how their ancestors arrived in the U.S., FBA zeroes in on the unique historical experience of those whose lineage is rooted in American slavery.
This term has gained momentum in recent years as people in the Black community have sought to reclaim and specify their heritage. For many, FBA represents a recognition of the unique cultural, social, and historical legacy that descendants of enslaved people hold in shaping the United States. But should this term replace “African-American” across the board? And what does that mean for the broader Black community?
The Importance of Lineage-Based Identity in the Black Community
For generations, Black Americans have had to grapple with the effects of systemic racism, the legacy of slavery, and the erasure of their history. In this context, identity becomes more than just a label — it’s a form of resistance, empowerment, and clarity. The emergence of FBA as a term is an attempt to differentiate the experiences of Black Americans with deep, generational ties to American slavery from those of more recent Black immigrants.
Here are some reasons why FBA holds particular importance:
- Recognition of Specific Struggles: The descendants of enslaved Africans in the U.S. face a unique set of challenges tied to the legacy of slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws, and ongoing systemic inequalities. FBA emphasizes this specific historical trauma and its ongoing impact.
- Reparations and Justice: Advocates for FBA argue that lineage should play a key role in discussions around reparations. The term helps focus attention on those most affected by America’s slavery history, potentially serving as a legal identifier for future reparations claims.
- Cultural Preservation: FBA culture is distinct from other Black cultures across the diaspora. It’s deeply embedded in American history, from the spirituals and blues that gave rise to today’s music to the civil rights struggles that shaped modern-day activism.
Should African-American Be Replaced by Foundational Black American?
While the term FBA highlights specific historical and cultural roots, it raises important questions about the broader use of “African-American.” The term African-American has long been a catch-all for Black individuals living in the U.S., regardless of their family’s history. Switching to FBA might help recognize the specific contributions and struggles of Black Americans with lineage directly tied to slavery, but is it too divisive?
Pros of Switching to FBA:
- Accuracy in Representation: FBA allows for a more precise understanding of who is being referenced when we talk about the descendants of enslaved people in America. It clarifies the conversation around systemic racism and historical debt.
- Focus on Reparations: As conversations about reparations grow, the term FBA can help ensure that those who directly descend from enslaved people are the ones primarily considered for compensation.
- Preserving a Unique Identity: Using FBA helps preserve the unique contributions and culture that descendants of enslaved people have developed in the U.S. across centuries.
Cons of Switching to FBA:
- Divisiveness Within the Black Community: Some argue that using FBA could create divisions within the Black community. Does this term unintentionally exclude more recent Black immigrants or diminish their struggles with racism in America?
- Loss of Diasporic Unity: The term “African-American” connects Black people across the diaspora, recognizing a shared history of African roots. Switching to FBA may risk weakening that connection.
- Practicality of Use: African-American is already deeply entrenched in American culture, legal systems, and identity politics. A widespread switch to FBA would require significant social and legal changes, which may be difficult to achieve.
Why the Switch to FBA is a Controversial Move
The transition from “African-American” to “Foundational Black American” raises important but divisive questions. Should the Black community embrace this shift as a way to reclaim historical specificity and focus on reparations, or does it risk further dividing a group already marginalized by society?
Critics argue that focusing on lineage-based identity runs the risk of alienating Black immigrants who have also experienced systemic racism and contribute significantly to the culture and economy of America. They argue that “African-American” provides a more inclusive umbrella that recognizes shared African heritage without drawing stark lines based on the length of time a family has been in the U.S.
On the other hand, proponents of FBA believe that it brings much-needed clarity and recognition to the unique lineage and contributions of descendants of enslaved people in the U.S. For them, the term emphasizes that their struggles and achievements should not be lumped together with the experiences of others who do not share this same history.
Is FBA the Future?
The debate around switching from “African-American” to “Foundational Black American” isn’t just about terminology — it’s about history, identity, and the future of the Black community in the U.S. Whether or not FBA becomes the dominant term in the years ahead, it’s clear that this lineage-based identity is pushing important conversations about recognition, reparations, and cultural preservation.
As the Black community continues to evolve, so too will its language. Is the switch to FBA a step toward empowering a more specific understanding of Black identity, or does it risk creating unnecessary divisions within an already complex racial landscape?
Only time will tell whether Foundational Black American is the future of Black identity in America.
Call to Action (CTA): What are your thoughts on the shift from African-American to Foundational Black American? Share your opinion in the comments below.