A view held in the era of Imperialism that the more developed and "civilized" peoples of Europe should, through their leadership and domination, bring civilization, modernity, wealth, and advancement to the lesser peoples of the world.
This mostly extended to non-white peoples, but various white ethnic groups subjected to this ideology were various Slavic groups in the east, Arabs, Turks, Finns, and Boers.
The ideology crated a sense of moral justification of Imperialism over many developed and long existing cultures, including long wealthy civilizations like China, Persia, Ottoman Turkey, and India.
This mostly extended to non-white peoples, but various white ethnic groups subjected to this ideology were various Slavic groups in the east, Arabs, Turks, Finns, and Boers.
The ideology crated a sense of moral justification of Imperialism over many developed and long existing cultures, including long wealthy civilizations like China, Persia, Ottoman Turkey, and India.
by historia February 18, 2012
noun/ 1) The guilt that white men and woman feel over the historical subjection of other races. For instance, the extroardinary election of Barack Obama may be due in part to guilt over the fact that blacks were forced into slavery for 300 years. Another example would be the white community's hesitation to be proud of their heritage, while most other races exhibit their pride.
2) The result in which a business, university, etc. will prefer a qualified man or woman of ethnicity over another qualified caucasian.
2) The result in which a business, university, etc. will prefer a qualified man or woman of ethnicity over another qualified caucasian.
White Guy: I didn't get accepted into Berkeley, even though I have a 4.2 GPA.
Friend: White Man's Burden
Friend: White Man's Burden
by Eric777 January 26, 2009
a historical ideal (sparked in the 1700s) held by SOME, not all, Europeans that they had a duty, rather a "burden", put on themselves to take care of all the other "inferior" races of the earth. This was often used as an excuse for racism, genocide, slavery, and imperialism.
Contrary to this idea is the Black man's burden which was to put up with the cruel treatment from the White man. However, seeing how both racial imperialism and slavery are over, neither the White man nor the Black man should be complaining about "burdens".
Contrary to this idea is the Black man's burden which was to put up with the cruel treatment from the White man. However, seeing how both racial imperialism and slavery are over, neither the White man nor the Black man should be complaining about "burdens".
the white man's burden should be to support all the other races of the earth, and so should be the black man's burden.
by JT the man January 4, 2008
The onus that has been put on the white man to drag the rest of the world into civilization while simultaneously being the most hated group on the planet.
It was the white man's burden to drag the African negro out of his mud hut clicking and screaming into the first world and look how we've been repaid.
by Kompress0r June 13, 2021
Adjective in context of Caucasian people experiencing discrimination as a minority in Asia. A sarcastic term used to connote cultural barriers faced by Caucasian who are stereotyped as being more polite, upscale, wealthy than non Caucasian locals, thus being burdened with living up to false stereotypes.
White man's burden is like a Caucasian being burdened with stereotypes of whiteness, like you are supposed to be rich, polite, and nice like white people seen on TV
by Mactoshmed March 16, 2023
Basically the White Supremacist version of "With great power comes great responsibility". They think they've gotta "civilise" the rest of the world
"It's tough being a white person, taking over the whole of Africa is difficult. But oh well, its just white man's burden I guess"
by Amouss October 2, 2023