A rite of passage is the set of culturally prescribed actions which accompany changes in the life cycle or societal states. The principle function of a rite of passage is societal preparation and recognition of transitions for those undergoing the rite. Hence, the significance of a rites of passage process can be measured by its power to cause or facilitate change in one's skills and/or insight. .
William Edward Burghardt Dubois was no stranger to the understanding of "a rites of passage" or "coming of age". In fact he dedicated his entire thesis on double consciousness to educate blacks, as well as whites, about such a socially genetic transformation. .
At the turn of the century whites in America did not recognize the distinct cultural heritage that Blacks contributed to the United States. For Blacks to receive recognition they had to lose their distinct identity and adopt the dominant social system which denied their own. Since whites were not willing to freely extend unconditional recognition, thereby reconciling the Black double-consciousness, African-Americans had to resist assimilation or face the threat of losing their true heritage. If this were this to happen, the unique message of the Black experience would go unrealized. .
Had whites been able to accept the Black contribution as part of the American legacy, as part of a common American struggle towards fulfilling the 'destiny' of this country, then a separate and distinct development may not have been necessary. The strategy for reconciliation of the double-consciousness then was, first, to establish a leadership which the new age African - American could look to for a sense of self, a sense of self-respect and self-esteem, and a basis of pride in their race; and second, to.
combat white racism in the process, by succeeding in establishing their identity without white recognition, an identity that white's ultimately had to accept.