The phrase "white man's burden" originates from a poem written by Rudyard Kipling in 1899. The poem, titled "The White Man's Burden: The United States and the Philippines," was addressed to the United States and encouraged American imperialism, particularly in the context of the newly acquired Philippines following the Spanish-American War.
In the poem, Kipling suggests that it is the responsibility of Western powers, particularly white Europeans and Americans, to civilize and educate non-Western peoples, often portrayed as primitive or barbaric. The "burden" refers to the moral obligation and the sacrifices that these imperial powers must endure in order to "help" these supposedly less fortunate societies.
However, the concept has been widely criticized for its ethnocentrism and the way it justifies imperialism and colonialism. It perpetuates a paternalistic attitude that views non-Western cultures as inferior and in need of Western domination and control. Many scholars and activists argue that this idea is rooted in racism and leads to exploitation and oppression rather than true cultural exchange or assistance.
Overall, Kipling’s notion reflects the imperialist mindset of the era and has since become a symbol of the problematic and colonial attitudes toward other cultures.