Is being the “First African American” a real issue?
The comments can get you every time, especially when the story title includes “first” and “African American.” This was my position today when I opened LinkedIn and saw one of my connections liked a news story about the newly elected president of Rutgers University. The title piqued my interest because of three words and phrases: first, African American, and Rutgers.
I wish I could tell you exactly how I learned about Rutgers when I was in high school. Growing up in Texas with OK grades, Rutgers would not be a viable choice for me after graduation. So why was Rutgers so intriguing? I am still asking myself that question. At that time, I didn’t know anyone who had attended the university or anyone from New Jersey. Nevertheless, Rutgers always claims my attention as was the case this morning.
I was excited to read Dr. Jonathan Holloway was elected as Rutgers University’s president. And I was also excited to see he would be the university’s first African American in the position. If you watch a part of his speech on CNN.com, you will see the appointment has a much bigger meaning. Then I read the comments.
I do know better but it is like slowing down to watch a car accident on the freeway — you can’t help yourself (although I am pretty good at not being too interested in accidents). The first comment asked the same question you see so often when the words “first” and “African American” for an organization or institution are included in the headline. The gentleman asked if Holloway could do the job and if so, great. He then proceeded to comment on how blacks always want to be seen as equals. Finally, he added how no one “needs to hear the first black guy (fill in the blank)” and how CNN needs to be reminded of the decade we are in.
Guess what? African Americans and other visible minorities are often tired of hearing about us being the “first” of something too. Although, for different reasons. I can only guess the man whose comments I referenced, and many like him, are tired of seeing “first” because they think everything is equal. He sees stories like this one and believes there are no issues. He may believe the appointment of Dr. Holloway is indicative of a plethora of opportunities for all African Americans. Keep in mind, the commenter's truth is not our reality.
My reasons for being tired of seeing “first African American” in a title are very different than the commenter. When I see these words in instances like this, I am reminded that African Americans are still fighting. We are fighting for equality, equity, and justice. Consider this analogy: some people may see opportunities like a tree overflowing with fruit ready for the harvest. African Americans also see all the fruit the same tree produces. Unfortunately, we are only allowed to pick a few. Most often, we are regulated to what has already fallen to the ground.
When I see “first” I also see years and years of doors being closed to us. While I am not a betting person, I would bet the reason those doors were closed was not that we were unqualified. Instead, it was because we were not viewed as equal and we were not wanted.
Let’s be clear. We are not the reason we are still celebrating being the “first” in any position of power. Biases, prejudice, discrimination, and racism exists. African Americans and other visible minorities deal with these issues in some form or fashion, every day. Stop telling us what we are experiencing is not real.
If other people are tired of seeing us celebrate an African American as a first, especially in this new decade, they need to understand African Americans are not to blame. We have been trying to tear down walls for centuries, in those spaces and places where we have not been visible.
So, with each first I see, I will continue to celebrate. And, I will continue to respond to the haters why my celebration of that “first” is significant.
