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!) The best thing to do in this situation is to pull those kids aside and explain to them that Whites have also made significant contributions to the U.S. I would provide several examples to them as well. I would also explain that every race has its own unique characteristics and that one is not better than the other; we are all equal. I would not try to get too deep into racial talk since these students are so young. I would just try and keep it simple and provide them with the information stated above.