The White Man's Burden
by Babette Francis
The media in general, i.e., print, radio and TV, as well as social media, are replete with critiques of the nefarious role of white men, who are regarded as being responsible for all that ails the world at the present time.
Some uber-charming feminists of colour have suggested that
mothers who give birth to white sons should feed them to the
wolves. I seem to recall something similar was done in Rome
some centuries ago, but it did not produce the desired state of
utopia or nirvana.
Of course, what the criticism of white men overlooks is that it is mainly in countries dominated by white men - and I am referring not only to prime ministers but to the governing parties and oppositions - that democracy and respect for human rights prevail, not to mention all the benefits and comforts of industrialised societies.
As Jennifer Oriel recently wrote, in regard to protests about celebrating Australia Day on January 26: "If you're offended by the arrival of Anglo-European culture in Australia, let me suggest a few tips for decolonising the nation: turn off your radios, hand back your phones, smash your computers and TVs, toss out your toilet, give back your antibiotics, soap and running water..." (The Australian, December 4, 2017).
The irony is that the "indigenous" Australians protesting about Australia Day are themselves of mixed race - they would not even exist had the white man not "invaded" Australia. And it is an even bigger irony why these mixed-race citizens appear to ignore the other half of their heritage - the "white" bit, the cultural heritage which includes Leonardo da Vinci, Shakespeare, Beethoven, et al. It is like totally ignoring your mother or your father.
Diatribes
The most fashionable diatribes are reserved solely for the white
man's role in colonialism. Of course, there were injustices and
brutalities in connection with establishing European "empires"
in Asia and Africa - but there were also benefits.
To consider India, a country with which I am familiar: the rulers prior to British domination were either Muslim or Hindu maharajas (kings).
Muslims gave women few rights. Even in the hot climate of India, women were shrouded in black burqas; there was child marriage and little female education.
The Hindus may have been, arguably, worse. The custom of suttee prevailed - widows were burnt alive on their husbands' funeral pyres, a ritual which the British rulers stopped.
Then there were the caste system which bedevilled the "untouchables" currently known as the Dalits), i.e., the lowest caste, comprising cleaners and disposers of sewage, and the dowry system, both of which the now enlightened secular and democratic Indian government has declared illegal and is struggling to eradicate.
And from whom did the Indians learn about democracy and the rights of women and of the economically disadvantaged? From the maligned colonial rulers, of course.
Accusations of misogyny
It is the feminists' critiques of white males and their hurling
accusations of misogyny that irk me most. It is white men who
have truly liberated women from the hard work of cooking,
cleaning and child-rearing: they have discovered electricity and
given us stoves, washing machines and vacuum cleaners - all far
more liberating and useful than "women's studies" or "gender
studies" in some feminist-dominated university department.
And for those who don't agree with my defence of "white men", don't waste your time accusing me of sexism or racism. I am female, Indian by birth and ethnic origin, and my skin colour is brown.
Personal disclosure: I was married to a white man for 55
happy years, and I mourn his loss deeply. 
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