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!) I would explain to them that many white Americans also made many great contributions to in our country. I would then give them a few examples. I would tell them that we have been focusing on African Americans and what they have done for our country. I would tell them they need to be proud for who they are and for what their ancestors may have done. They should not want to be anything that what and who they are and they should be proud.