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bhikkhu

(10,707 posts)
9. In context, it was about playing the suffering unappreciated hero
Mon Dec 26, 2016, 03:33 PM
Dec 2016

while slaughtering an enemy that resisted conquest, just wishing to be free of overlords. The poem was written at the height of european colonialism, and provided a compelling narrative justifying it.

Why didn't the Filipino people understand our virtuous intent? Why didn't the Congo welcome Leopold with open arms? Why didn't the Bengalis realize that Britain needed their crops for a higher purpose, and starve to death peacefully?

And so on...Kipling's poem was a compelling narrative, of the sort that masks a rotting soul. If you commit atrocities, its the sort of narrative that allows you to still look in the mirror and wax your mustache, with a glimmer in your eye, sad that you are so unappreciated.

"Take up the White Man’s burden—

And reap his old reward:

The blame of those ye better

The hate of those ye guard— "

In context, the poem urged a European style colonialism in the Phillipines, after we intervened in the Philippine war and helped them drive out the Spanish (not an especially hard task). Then we installed our own rulership rather than allow self-government. The Filipinos continued their long fight for freedom, and we killed about 25% of the population before they were subdued.

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