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 them why they would want to change who they were. I would explain the them that not only African American's have made significant contributions but people of many different races. I would explain to them that at the moment this is what we are studying and we will explore many more cultures and races. I would also contact the parents just to let them know that the subject came up and that it may not be anything serious. The children may just be going through an identity crisis.