A Conceptual Framework for Positive Black Female Identity Formation

Educating Black females about critical media literacy is a fundamental responsibility that should be shared by all who are concerned with the ways in which Black females navigate the world, especially because of the media’s pervasiveness. We proposed a conceptual framework for equipping Black females with the necessary critical media literacy (CML) skills to successfully recognize, decode, and deconstruct negative media messaging to develop a positive Black female identity. Utilizing the Critical Literacies Advancement Model (CLAM) as a foundation, we argued that critical theory can help in terms of developing a variety of critical, nontraditional literacies and to advance and promote positive Black female identity. Supported by the CLAM, we built our conceptual framework using Black Feminist Theory, critical media literacy, and critical consciousness, to outline a clear argument for the development of CML skills and critical consciousness to disrupt the perpetual cycle of subjugation of Black female identity.