Black audiences’ Black-oriented media consumption and attitudes toward Black Nationalism

Abstract

Black audiences’ media consumption and its relationship to individual well-being are well documented. However, empirical investigations that have examined Black audiences’ media consumption and feelings toward Black Nationalism, or loyalty toward Black community members and community well-being, are limited. Using a cross-sectional sample of US Black adults (N = 2137) from the National Study of American Life (NSAL), the current study drew on social identity and uses and gratifications theories to investigate the relationship. Results suggested a favorable relationship between Black audiences’ increased Black-oriented media consumption and attitudes toward Black Nationalism. Likewise, relevant individual differences, including adherence to racial identity, gender identity, and feelings toward White individuals, were uniquely associated with increased support for Black Nationalism. Implications of the findings are discussed in terms of Black-oriented media consumption and well-being