Les X-Men et les droits civiques : pourquoi Stan Lee a créé des super-héros mutants — Leçon d’anglais langue étrangère

Partahrique
Deadpool introduces the X-Men lesson
Welcome to my kitchen! Today we’re talking about the X-Men.

The X-Men aren’t just superheroes with cool powers — they represent something much deeper. In this ESL lesson, we explore why Stan Lee created the X-Men and how they connect to real-world issues like the Civil Rights Movement.

Who Created the X-Men?

Stan Lee creator of the X-Men
Stan Lee — the legendary creator of the X-Men and many other Marvel heroes

The X-Men were created by Stan Lee in 1963. But Stan Lee didn’t just want to make another superhero team — he wanted to use the X-Men to talk about social issues happening in America at that time.

The Civil Rights Movement

Civil Rights Movement leaders
The Civil Rights Movement — a time when people fought for equality

In the 1960s, America was going through a period called the Civil Rights Movement. This was a time when people — especially African Americans — were fighting for equality. They were being judged by the color of their skin and weren’t receiving the same treatment as other people in society.

Stan Lee wanted to address these issues, but instead of talking directly about race and skin color, he created mutants — people who were born different and treated unfairly because others feared and didn’t understand them.

What Makes the X-Men Different?

X-Men comic team
The X-Men — born different, not made

Many superheroes have origin stories that explain their powers:

  • Superman was born on planet Krypton and sent to Earth
  • Spider-Man was bitten by a radioactive spider
  • The Hulk was exposed to gamma radiation

But the X-Men? They were just born different. They didn’t choose to be mutants — they were born as mutants. This is what makes their story so powerful and relatable.

Why Do Humans Fear Mutants?

In the X-Men universe, humans are afraid of mutants. Why?

“People fear what they do not understand.”

Humans don’t understand mutant powers, and this fear turns into hate. To control the mutants, humans create robots called Sentinels — giant machines designed to hunt and capture mutants.

Vocabulaire: Sentinel — a guard or watcher; in X-Men, robots that hunt mutants

Two Leaders, Two Philosophies

MLK Malcolm X Professor X Magneto parallel
The parallels: MLK & Professor X (peace) vs Malcolm X & Magneto (by any means necessary)

The X-Men story centers around two leaders with very different ideas about how mutants should respond to human fear and hatred.

Professor X — The Path of Peace

Professor X peaceful leader
Professor X — the peaceful leader of the X-Men

Professor X represents a peaceful, compassionate approach. He gathers mutants at his school and teaches them:

  • How to control their powers
  • That they must protect humans, even when humans hate them
  • To show compassion to those who don’t understand them

“We X-Men learned something very special here: how to control our mutant powers for the benefit of mankind.”

Professor X believes that mutants and humans can live together in harmony — but only if mutants lead by example and show kindness.

Magneto — The Path of Separation

Magneto quote
Magneto believes in protecting his own people first

Magneto was once Professor X’s friend. They shared the same ideas. But then Magneto saw mutants being hurt by humans, and he changed.

Magneto backstory Auschwitz
Magneto’s tragic backstory shaped his worldview

Magneto believes:

  • Mutants should only protect other mutants
  • It’s acceptable to hurt humans to protect mutants
  • Mutants and humans cannot live together peacefully

“Your professor’s dream is dead. Cling to this dying world or rise to your future!”

Magneto represents the separatist viewpoint — that living together is impossible when one group constantly tries to harm the other.

The Big Question

Magneto vs Professor X battle
Professor X and Magneto — two friends with opposing visions

Who is right — Professor X or Magneto?

This is the central question of the X-Men series. There’s no easy answer, and that’s what makes it so compelling.

Stan Lee wanted readers to think about these questions in their own lives:

  • Is it possible to live peacefully with people who fear you?
  • Should you keep showing kindness even when others are cruel?
  • When is it acceptable to fight back?

Stan Lee’s Message

Stan Lee was clear about the lesson behind the X-Men:

“There is no room for intolerance. There is no room for bigotry.”

The X-Men teach us that it’s wrong to treat people differently just because they are different or because you don’t understand them.

Vocabulaire:

  • Intolerance — unwillingness to accept differences
  • Bigotry — prejudice against people who are different from you

Key Lessons from This Video

Tahric teaching X-Men lesson
The X-Men remind us to accept others despite our differences
  1. Humans fear mutants because they don’t understand their powers
  2. Professor X believes mutants should help humans and show compassion, even when mistreated
  3. The X-Men are trained to help both humans and mutants
  4. Magnéto believes humans and mutants cannot coexist peacefully
  5. The X-Men story was inspired by the Civil Rights Movement
X-Men team action
The X-Men — fighting for a world that fears and hates them

Révision du vocabulaire

Mot Signification
Mutant A person born with special powers or differences
Persecution Cruel treatment of a group of people
Ignorance Lack of knowledge or understanding
Compassion Caring about others and wanting to help them
Oppression Unjust treatment or control of a group
Evolved Developed or changed over time
Intolerance Unwillingness to accept differences
Bigotry Strong prejudice against different people

Quiz: Test Your Understanding

  1. Who created the X-Men, and in what year?
    A. Stan Lee in 1963 | B. Charles Xavier in 1980 | C. Magneto in 1952
  2. Why are humans afraid of mutants?
    A. Because they don’t understand their powers | B. Because mutants want to take over the world | C. Because humans want to help mutants
  3. What does Professor X believe about mutants and humans?
    A. Mutants should use their powers to help humans | B. Mutants should stay hidden | C. Mutants should control humans
  4. Who are the Sentinels?
    A. Robots that protect humans | B. Robots that capture mutants | C. Teachers at Professor X’s school
  5. What is Magneto’s belief about mutants?
    A. Mutants should help humans no matter what | B. Mutants should only protect other mutants | C. Mutants and humans are equal

Réponses : 1-A, 2-A, 3-A, 4-B, 5-B

Discussion Questions

Think about these questions and discuss with a partner or write your answers:

  1. Do you agree more with Professor X or Magneto? Why?
  2. Can you think of examples in history where groups of people were treated unfairly?
  3. What can we learn from the X-Men about treating others with respect?
  4. Is it always right to show compassion to people who hurt you?

Want to learn more about X-Men characters and their powers? Check out our companion article: X-Men Characters: Powers and Weaknesses

For more ESL lessons, visit the Chaîne YouTube Tahric Teaches or explore 18K English programs.

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