Speak White

"Speak White" is a powerful French language poem written in 1968 by Michèle Lalonde that highlights the challenges faced by Québécois speakers in their own province. Published in 1974, the piece became a rallying cry for those seeking to preserve and promote the French language in Quebec amidst the dominant English-speaking culture. In 1980, filmmakers Pierre Falardeau and Julien Poulin transformed Lalonde's poem into a poignant six-minute short film, bringing her impassioned words to life through the performance of actress Marie Eykel. Released by the National Film Board of Canada, this moving piece is both an artistic expression and a political statement that continues to resonate with audiences today.