The Black Man’s Burden

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The Black Man's Burden

In 1899, Rudyard Kipling wrote a poem called, “The White Man’s Burden: The United States and the Philippine Islands” which urged the United States to take on the moral “burden” of conquering other nonwhite countries. One month after the poem was published, an African-American clergyman, H.T. Johnson, published this poem in response. This poem is for grade 10 students. As you read, take notes on how perspective and point of view influences Johnson’s response to Kipling. This poem can be found in the public domain.

Carrots with Character
The White Man’s Burden

Reading Presentations Library