The experiences of a white teacher in an integrated private kindergarten illustrate the consciousness of race that permeates our society. The doubt felt by many African Americans that African American children should attend predominantly white schools is explored, as are the doubts felt by an African American teacher who thinks she might be more useful in an all black school. The teacher incorporates stories of a slave named Kwanzaa into the stories she tells the children. Telling stories is a way to explore the cultural heritage of all the children in the class. These anecdotes are a form of communication that is necessary to ensure that every child has a sense of self in the classroom. Parents and teachers must talk to each other about race as about other issues to begin to work toward community and kinship. (SLD)