Foundational Black Americans (FBA) Pronunciation: /faʊnˈdeɪʃənəl blæk əˈmɛrɪkənz/ (fown-DAY-shun-ul blak uh-MAIR-ih-kunz) Abbreviation: FBA Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: A term for Black Americans who descend directly from Indigenous Americans* and enslaved Africans brought to the United States before emancipation. Foundational Black Americans claim a unique culture and history linked to chattel slavery in America. Their lineage includes the struggles and achievements during Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and the Civil Rights era. The label distinguishes them from Black immigrants who arrived more recently.
Example: Reparations debates often prioritize Foundational Black Americans because of their specific American lineage and history.