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 ask the student why they felt unhappy with their life as it is. I would then explain that "Being Black" is just a description of a person's race. It has nothing to do with who they are or what they could accomplish during their lives. I would explain that the reason why we study people who are black and accomplished great things is because black people have not always had the opportunities white people have so their accomplishments are recognized. I would explain that race has no effect on how much someone can accomplish now. I would then let it go and move on.