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!) Like a lot of people that have responded to this, I do not see this as a terrible thing. I think it's great that a White student felt so excited about a different culture. Perhaps, as a teacher, you could express that it is great to want to be involved and learn more but it is simultaneously important to hold on to your own culture and embrace it. I think as teachers we can teach young children to embrace others and embrace ourselves.