Speak White

Marie Eykel reads a poem from Michèle Lalonde. A bit less emotional than when Michèle Lalonde reads it herself in "Michèle Lalonde" (1977). Back then, English is still the language of business and of power in Québec, the French speaking province of Canada. French-Canadians are perceived by some as second-class citizens. Michèle Lalonde's poem is a rallying cry for those who are fighting for changes. They're the leaders of the "Révolution tranquille". For them, English is a beautiful language to "set the time of death at the workplace". Michèle Lalonde's poem wants to fight racism based on language, but also all forms of racism. But one must ask himself if she goes too far. Their cause was just, but they are also playing the racism card in the way they present English speaking people. In this short, photos are going through the screen while Marie Eykel reads the poem. They serve to illustrate the plight of French-Canadians.

Seen at home, in Toronto, on January 9th, 2004.

83/100 (***)