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 feel that you should do a unit that focuses on White Americans that have made significant contributions to the United States and any other races that are represented in your class. By studying people from different ethnic backgrounds, the students are learning that every race has contributed to the United States. You should stress that every student regardless of skin color has a reason to be proud of their ancestors and the contribution they have made to the United States.