What is nigrescence?

Nigrescence is a term used in psychology and specifically in the study of racial identity development. It was coined by William Cross in 1971 to describe the process of becoming black or identifying as Black in America. Nigrescence typically involves stages through which individuals progress as they come to terms with their racial identity, including pre-encounter, encounter, immersion-emersion, and internalization. These stages involve varying levels of awareness, exploration, and acceptance of one's blackness or identity as a person of African descent. Nigrescence theory is used to help understand and support individuals in their journey towards a positive sense of racial identity and self-esteem.