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  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 can relate to this situation. To combat white privilege, educators try to emphasis the contributions of those of different backgrounds to create an awareness. This is a good idea, but to some, they see it as deemphasizing the contributions of white people. This is a tricky situation. You want to motivate the dominated groups, but you don't want to turn the dominating group into a dominated group. To address the issue with your students, I would tell them that a person's race doesn't determine whether they will succeed or not, but to succeed in this world you need to be motivated and willing to work hard regardless of background.
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree that the students need to understand that a persons race does not define their level of success. This approach will likely create awareness in the classroom and solve the issue.
Rated On: October 14, 2014 8:01 pm
Rated By: sugeLu
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: That is good advice for your students, I like this solution. It's hard to build up someone's ego without making the person next to them feel lower, I think reminding students that race does not matter is always a good thing.
Rated On: October 20, 2014 12:45 am
Rated By: Adam Sanchez
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Great post!!!
Rated On: July 10, 2015 2:47 am
Rated By: RaMevy
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I totally agree!
Rated On: March 6, 2016 10:06 pm
Rated By: Allyssa Straquadine
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: great solution
Rated On: October 16, 2017 3:00 am
Rated By: uWureg
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No
The suggested solution is original No
Comments: I don't really agree with this mostly, because you are using the terms "dominating" and "dominated". This is not a good way to view or talk about any group of people.
Rated On: October 10, 2018 11:08 pm
Rated By: sadaze
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with this solution and would do this if I were in this situation!
Rated On: October 11, 2018 1:02 am
Rated By: ugyqyd
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with this solution.
Rated On: October 9, 2020 8:58 pm
Rated By: vaMuvy