Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: I Wish I Were Black! As a teacher of 5th grade students, I try to make sure that my students have a good sense of all the people and cultures that make up this country. Last couple weeks, I paid special attention to the African American people who have made significant contributions to the US. We read a book written by Walter Dean Myers. We have studied scientists, writers, and political figures. Students were very engaged and interested in the content. Yesterday something happened that puzzled me. Three of my White students told me that they wished they were Black. This was not my intention when I planned all my lessons on contributions of African Americans. How should I address this issue? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) Clearly you had good intentions of exposing students to African Americans who were successful in our history. I do agree that all too often, teachers expose students to famous historical figures who are white. In order to further make your classroom diverse and allow for students to see that there are many different people and cultures who have contributed to our country, you will need to find a wide range of cultures that have contributed. Do NOT just make it about white and black. There are many other races out there.