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 really feel that this is simple and maybe I shouldn't feel this way--but I feel like these students simply feel this way because what they are learning is something new and exciting to them! I know this matter may not be this simple or need to be this simplified but from the readings and from what I've learned it seems that African-American (and other minorities) representation (in class, in media, in text, in history, etc.) is minuet. Thus, this might be their first real exposure to how much African-Americans have shaped society, History, Science, and so on. However, before I jump to this conclusion I would definitely speak with the students alone and see if this what their actual ideas and thoughts were behind saying this. Additionally, I would let them know that however it is that they meant it, them saying 'they wished they were Black' could be viewed in many ways by their classmates, administration, and friends and family. I would inform them that it could be seen as offensive or complimentary to any of the mentioned people. Yet, with that said, I'll go back to my original theory and likely express that to the students... that however they meant what they said, they are likely feeling new feelings (like wishing they were Black) because their exposure has likely been very little thus far in school (or elsewhere). Then I would help them work through those emotions accordingly.