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 first ask the children why they wished they were Black. By questioning their thought process, I would then be able to address their reasoning. I would also explain that race does not make who a person is. Race is a quality that people have, but it does not make you who you are. I would also explain that people are defined by their character and how they react in situations, and that has nothing to do with their race or ethnicity. I think it is important to also explain that every race is similar and different, and we should celebrate those differences. Differences, however, do not make someone better or worse; differences make them unique. I think it's important that students try to empathize with people of other races, but it is also important that they value who they are.