When a man or a woman shatters a racial, ethnic or gender barrier, the "pioneer" or "groundbreaker" or shatterer of "glass ceilings" inherits the weight of great expectations.

The title "First Black This" or "First Woman That" or "First Hispanic Whatever" carries special demands — and surely much more so for the nation's first African-American president. President-elect Barack Obama already faces what arguably are excessive and unreachable expectations from an array of interest groups queueing up to advance their agendas through his success. Mr. Obama's themes of unification and more open international relations have taken these expectations worldwide.

Obama rightly is hailed as a historic, powerful symbol that democratic values can propel all people to the political pinnacle. Quite literally, there never has been a president like him. Winning the national election was an unparalleled feat, and the days between now and Inauguration Day will see many smiles and embraces. But governing as the first president of African-American or mixed-race descent will test his mettle even more.

Voting blocs that disproportionately supported Obama — African-Americans, women and Hispanics — already are pushing for multicultural and gender-diverse Cabinet-level appointees. For example, Hispanic voters, who helped to carry several key swing states, already are planning to rally in Washington, D.C., the day after Inauguration Day to advocate for immigration reform.

The president-elect must recognize that his administration cannot be all things to all people, especially during the worst economy in a generation and with our nation fighting wars on two fronts abroad.

Obama wisely kept his powder dry during the campaign. He talked about trends and concepts but hedged on specific options that could pit key constituencies against one another. It was an effective technique that helped broaden his base of support.

But the demands of governing as a "global citizen" and "groundbreaking pioneer" are more daunting. No matter how he acts — or doesn't act — on issues such as immigration reform, equal pay for women and rebuilding distressed cities, many will hyper-analyze his decisions through a racial prism. Some will question his motives.

Like those who have broken barriers before him — a first minority or female police chief, school superintendent, governor or corporate chief executive — Obama will face the extra question: Are you a black president or a president who also is black? Which ranks first?

The question is irrelevant, but it also is inevitable.

Obama's ascension has been compared with that of Jackie Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball's color line in 1947. With due respect to the Brooklyn Dodgers' No. 42, President No. 44 will have a far greater, and possibly far more enduring, impact.

Jackie Robinson's breakthrough was one step in a process. It did not, by itself, recalibrate race relations, as Robinson would have been the first to acknowledge. Resistance to equal opportunity and treatment endured. It may endure beyond Obama, but his election may mark the beginning of the completion of the journey that started long before even Jackie Robinson first appeared in a Dodgers uniform.

Obama's history is more complex. His African father was from Kenya, his Anglo mother from Kansas. He was reared in an integrated family at a time when interracial marriages were rare, and he initially was schooled abroad. His racial duality and his internationalism were essential parts of the personal story of his very long campaign.

Obama's success at winning the presidency has been a source of inspiration for all Americans. But no mortal can heal the problems of all people. The first 43 presidents didn't, and neither will the 44th.

Obama has a rare opportunity to unite diverse people. Americans should resist reflexive temptations to cast his actions along racial lines. He and the country have too much at stake to get sidetracked with divisive racial politics.

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