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 students why they wished they were black. They would most likely say they made the comment because the people they had read about made major contributions to society and were very inspiring. This is true, but I would explain to the students that it doesn't matter what race you are you can still make a difference. Many blacks, whites, Hispanics, Asian, ect. have all made major contributions to society and they didn't do these things because of the color of their skin. It is important to be proud of who you are and to accept yourself no matter your color or ethnicity.