What is Nigrescience

Cross (1971) describes a five-stage model to describe the experiences associated with becoming a psychologically healthy Black man or woman in the US. In the Pre-encounter Stage individuals do not believe that race is an important aspect of identity. In the Encounter Stage, the individual is faced with a profound experience(s) directly related to their race that causes her or him to reexamine their identity. During the Immersion/Emersion Stage, the individual becomes obsessed with identifying with Black culture, but remains uncommitted to endorsing Black culture and history. This feeling of inner security and satisfaction with being Black occurs during the Internalization Stage. In the final stage, Internalization-Commitment, the individual translates his or her internalized identity into action.

The Internet, Black Identity, and the Evolving Discourse of the Digital Divide

Lynette Kvasny (The Pennsylvania State University, USA) and Kayla D. Hales (The Pennsylvania State University, USA)