Abstract
This thesis looks at the representation of African American identity in the film Dear White People (2014). I specifically analyze the main protagonists to understand how African American identity is being developed in Dear White People using the Nigrescence model developed by Cross (1971; 1991). Furthermore, I looked at how Afrocentric and Eurocentric characteristics are reflected in the narrative development of the main characters using the narrative paradigm. In addition to the narrative paradigm, standpoint theory was employed as an additional lens to determine in what ways the characters were able to achieve a standpoint and confront hegemony or not in their storyline. Given this notion, my final research question looked at the implications for perceptions about African American principles and values when films about African Americans reflect Afrocentrism or Eurocentrism.