Unmasking the Racism Behind Rudyard Kipling's 'The White Man's Burden'

Take up the White man's burdenSend forth the best ye breedGo bind your sons to exileTo serve your captives' need;To wait in heavy harnessOn fluttered folk and wildYour new-caught, sullen peoples,Half devil and half child.

Take up the White Man's burdenIn patience to abide,To veil the threat of terrorAnd check the show of pride;By open speech and simple,An hundred times mad plain.To seek another's profit,And work another's gain.

Take up the White Man's burdenThe savage wars of peaceFill full the mouth of FamineAnd bid the sickness cease;And when your goal is nearestThe end for others sought,Watch Sloth and heathen FollyBring all your hope to nought.

Take up the White Man's burdenNo tawdry rule of kings,But toil of serf and sweeperThe tale of common things.The ports ye shall not enter,The roads ye shall not tread,Go make them with your living,And mark them with your dead!

Take up the White man's burdenAnd reap his old reward:The blame of those ye better,The hate of those ye guardThe cry of hosts ye humour(Ah, slowly!) toward the light:"Why brought ye us from bondage,"Our loved Egyptian night?"

Take up the White Man's burdenYe dare not stoop to lessNor call too loud on freedomTo cloak your weariness;By all ye cry or whisper,By all ye leave or do,The silent, sullen peoplesShall weigh your Gods and you.

Take up the White Man's burdenHave done with childish daysThe lightly proffered laurel,The easy, ungrudged praise.Comes now, to search your manhoodThrough all the thankless years,Cold-edged with dear-bought wisdom,The judgment of your peers!

Introduction

Rudyard Kipling's poem "The White Man's Burden," written in 1899, is often cited as a justification for imperialism. However, beneath its surface lies a deep-seated racism that dehumanizes and patronizes non-Western peoples. This blog post aims to critically analyze the racist ideologies embedded in the poem and discuss their implications.

Historical Context

Kipling wrote "The White Man's Burden" during a period when Western powers were expanding their empires. It was actually written to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee and encouraged America to take over the Philippines during the American-Philippine War(1899-1902). While imperialism was justified through claims of a "civilizing mission," this mission was underpinned by racist beliefs in the superiority of white people and the inferiority of others.

Analysis of the Poem

Themes and Messages: The poem suggests that it is the duty of white men to civilize non-Western societies. This theme is rooted in a belief in racial superiority, portraying colonized people as uncivilized and incapable of self-governance.

Let's analyze a stanza as an example.

Take up the White Man's burden—
Send forth the best ye breed—
Go bind your sons to exile
To serve your captives' need;
To wait in heavy harness
On fluttered folk and wild—
Your new-caught, sullen peoples,
Half-devil and half-child.

Language and Imagery: The language used in the poem is deeply offensive. Terms like "half-devil and half-child" dehumanize colonized peoples, depicting them as savage and immature. This reinforces harmful stereotypes and justifies racist attitudes. It tells us that dark people are wild and sulky.

Criticism

Racist Ideologies: The poem reflects and perpetuates racist ideologies. By describing non-Western people in derogatory terms, Kipling implies that they are inferior and need white people to civilize them. This perspective denies the humanity and agency of colonized peoples.

Harmful Stereotypes: The poem promotes harmful stereotypes that have had lasting effects. These stereotypes contributed to widespread discrimination and violence against non-white people, both during the colonial period and beyond.

Moral and Ethical Implications: The poem's portrayal of non-Western peoples as needing to be "civilized" by white people is not only offensive but also dangerous. It suggests that some races are inherently superior to others, a belief that has been used to justify countless atrocities.

Relevance Today

Legacy of Racism: The racist ideologies expressed in "The White Man's Burden" have a lasting legacy. Many of the stereotypes and attitudes it promotes are still present in contemporary society, contributing to ongoing racial inequalities.

Modern Parallels: Similar attitudes can be seen today in various forms of racism and discrimination. Understanding the historical context and ideological roots of these attitudes is essential in combating racism in all its forms.

Call to Awareness: Challenging and rejecting the racist ideologies in works like Kipling's poem is crucial. By critically examining such texts, we can promote a more inclusive and equitable society.

Conclusion

"The White Man's Burden" is a poem that encapsulates the racist mindset of its time. Its portrayal of non-Western peoples as inferior and in need of white guidance is deeply problematic. By unmasking the racism behind the poem, we can better understand the harmful impact of such ideologies and work towards a more just world.

What are your thoughts on the racist elements in Kipling's poem? Share your views in the comments below.