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

combat white racism in the process, by succeeding in establishing their identity without white recognition, an identity that white's ultimately had to accept.

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

The mission was to conquer racism and oppression as Blacks, not to reject their history for the sake of acceptance by white society, but to become recognized as an African and as an American in America. Moreover, to fight for their history as Blacks, and in turn force whites to recognize their own part in that history.

We note Maya’s coming of age after she was sexually abused by her stepfather. After this point in her life, a transition of how she viewed herself and how others thought of her became an integral part of her life. From that point on, in her life she not only lost her virginity, but also she ignited her “seventh sense” to see how the world views her, as well as how she viewed herself.

Some topics in this essay:
United Blacks, Black Heritage, James Johnson, , America Moreover, Burghardt Dubois, American South, American Moreover, Bird Sings, Weldon Johnson, african �, black american, james johnson, double �, consciousness able, double � consciousness, rite passage, � consciousness,