When you were born you were pink, 出生时你是粉色的,
When you grew up you became white,长大时你是白色的(这首诗是针对有种族歧视思想的白人),
When you are in the sun you are red,日晒时你是红色的,
When you are sick you are yellow,生病时你是黄色的,
When you are angry you are purple,生气时你是紫色的,
When you are shocked you are grey,恐惧时你是灰色的,
And you have the cheek to call me ‘coloured’.那你怎么能称呼我是coloured呢?
种族隔离时期,白人称呼黑人为“coloured”,即有色人种的意思。曼德拉这首诗是对这种称呼的反击。