Discourse on African American/Black Identity: engaging the expanded nigrescence theory with a diasporic consciousness

Abstract

This manuscript theoretically explores the application of a stretched expanded nigrescence theory (NT-E) by making notions of consciousness explicit, thereby building on the research involving first generation U.S.-born Africans (FGAs). In taking this approach, a theoretical framework of a diasporic consciousness emerged an alternative for exploring the identity development of Africana people. To facilitate this process, a shift from conceiving identity along the lines of race and ethnicity was begun towards a conception that is solely culturally based on eight identified factors.

Stability of the volume of air trapped on the abdomen of the water spider Argyroneta aquatica

“…The adaptation of the water spider Argyroneta to its life under water has been the subject of several recent studies (Neumann and Kureck 2013 ; Seymour and Hetz 2011 ; Matthews and Seymour 2010 ; Schütz and Taborsky 2003 ). Each of these reports contains a section reviewing the biology of the spider.…”

Towards a Different Construction of Blackness: Black Immigrant Scholars on Racial Identity Development in the United States

“…By extension, they might also investigate how foreign-born Black identities might impact pedagogical or administrative practices in the academy. Such empirical investigations might stimulate (a) a "re-working" of identity labels that Black immigrants on varied campuses have found "problematic" and noninclusive such as "other" (De Walt, 2013); (b) a more accurate depiction of racebased categories in research practice; and (c) professional development and training practices in the academy that are truly culturally responsive for both foreign-born faculty and students.…”

“…The growing presence of Black immigrants in the United States has served both to question and to add critical dimensions concerning what it means to be "Black" (Bailey, 2001;De Walt, 2013;Kretsedemas, 2008;Johnson, 2008;Perry, 2002). Johnson (2008) succinctly illustrated this influence with the use of Hughes ' (1945) "master status" -that is, America's longstanding definition of Blackness founded on its racialized past.…”

“…Since racial identity is complex and problematized by factors such as unique ethnic and cultural experiences outside the U.S. context, there is need for (a) a broadened racial discourse shaped by ethnic group identity and affiliations (Alfred, 2008(Alfred, , 2010Fries-Britt et al, 2014;Hall & Carter, 2006;Benson, 2006), and (b) models that centralize the unique ideologies of foreignborn Blacks (De Walt, 2013;Wilson, 2009). …”

“…Both U.S.-born and foreign-born Blacks play an integral role in understanding how racial and ethnic identities are formed (Cornell & Hartman, 2007;Hall & Carter, 2006;Jackson, 2012). Hence, it is important to explore alternative perspectives to advance more inclusive approaches to defining Black identity, which accurately reflect the diverse U.S. population (De Walt, 2013;Jackson, 2012;Worrell, 2012). Using the experiences of two Black Caribbean immigrants as an example, this study interrogated evolving self-definitions of foreign-born Blacks in the United States.…”