Nigrescence

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Nigrescence is a word with a Latin origin. It describes a process of becoming Black or developing a racial identity.

Nigrescence extends through history and impacts those victimized by racism and white supremacy. Recent psychological adaptations instigated identity formation for persons of African American descent. The process of enslavement typically included deliberate and forceful repression of traditional languages and mental development to stifle the desire for freedom and to make freedom feel unattainable and unrealistic. Slave owners knew that physical restraints were never as effective as broken spirits. Hundreds of years later, the descendants of African diaspora struggle to process any form of trauma, which typically results in delayed progress in emotional development.

Professor William E. Cross Jr. included a theory of Nigrescence in his groundbreaking book Shades of Black: Diversity in African American Identity, which was published in 1991. His theory assumed that African Americans are "believed to be socialized into the predominant culture, which resulted in diminished racial identification",^[1] and thus the Nigrescence model posits that an encounter with an instance of racism or racial discrimination may precipitate the exploration and formation of racial identity, and foster a deeper understanding of the role race plays in the lives of African Americans.^[2] African Americans then proceed through a series of distinct psychological stages as they move from self-degradation to self-pride over time.^[3] This model is depicted in the 6th episode of the 2023 TV series Unprisoned.^{[4][circular reference]}

Charles Thomas came up with the concept of negromachy. He believed there was a confusion of self-worth where the person shows inappropriate dependence on white society for self definition. He created a five-stage nigrescence model.

Bailey Jackson created a four-stage nigrescense model.

Frantz Fanon coined the term, "to become black", which meant as a process of developing a black identity under conditions of oppression.