The Black Man's Burden

"The Black Man's Burden" is a poem by H.T. Johnson that critiques the idea of white imperialism and racial superiority. It contrasts the so-called "burden" of colonizing non-white peoples with the real struggles faced by Black individuals, highlighting their suffering, discrimination, and lack of freedom. The poem challenges the notion that colonization is a noble or benevolent act, emphasizing that it often leads to oppression and exploitation of Black communities. Essentially, it calls out the hypocrisy of claiming to civilize while perpetuating injustice.