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!) It appears that these students who wish to be black feel the accomplishments of their monocultural identity has been over shadowed by the accomplishments of many great African- Americans. I would explain to the students that we spend so much of the school year and our time on the accomplishments and contributions of white, anglo-saxon people than that of African-American history. I would also explain to these students that while we are hurt or saddened because there is so much focus on one culture, that their culture seems left out, we should embrace and learn about other cultures as well.