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Using poems

How can we use the poem 'Homme de couleur' with children in the languages classroom?
Notebook with word 'poesie' and flower
© Photo by Lolame from pixabay.com
Read the following poem and reflect on how you could use it in the classroom. Add your ideas to the comments.

‘Homme de Couleur’ by Leopold Sedar Senghor

‘Cher frère blanc,
Quand je suis ne, j’étais noir.
Quand j’ai grandi, j’étais noir.
Quand je vais au soleil, je suis noir.
Quand j’ai peur, je suis noir.
Quand je suis malade, je suis noir…
Quand je mourrai, je serai noir…
Tandis que toi, homme blanc…
Quand tu es ne, tu étais rose.
Quand tu as grandi, tu étais blanc.
Quand tu vas au soleil, tu es rouge.
Quand tu as froid, tu es bleu.
Quand tu as peur, tu es vert.
Quand tu es malade, tu es jaune.
Quand tu mourras, tu seras gris…
Et après cela, tu as le toupet de m’appeler Homme de couleur.’

© University of Glasgow; Colin Christie; Leopold Sedar Senghor
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