Rudyard Kipling-racist or cynic?

Rudyard Kipling, reportedly one the greatest Anglo-Indian authors of all times, is definitely enigmatic. Fans of his might love his stories such as Kim, Jungle Book, and Rikki Tikki Tavi. His short story form has rarely been surpassed in Victorian literature (besides Somerset Maugham), and his innovative telling of tales from his childhood have endeared him to the general public.
But was Kipling a racist? Many critics thought that he was a proponent of imperialism, and his poem, The White Man's Burden, created huge controversy. Kipling, who is a symbol of pride for many Indians and who also appreciated Indian culture, had often talked about his connection to his birthland. Thus, among many Indians, confusion over how Kipling's memory should be preserved is still rife. It takes a very contradictory man to state that he loves the essence of native culture, and yet believes that that culture should be destroyed and subjugated.
I would give Ruddy the benefit of the doubt, personally, because I like his writing, and it would be a pity if his work were misunderstood. After all, in the case of The White Man's Burden, one does wonder if Kipling is simply being sarcastic. But, meaning, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
Here she lies:
"Take up the White Man's burden--Send forth the best ye breed--Go bind your sons to exileTo serve your captives' need;To wait in heavy harness,On fluttered folk and wild--Your new-caught, sullen peoples,Half-devil and half-child.Take up the White Man's burden--In patience to abide,To veil the threat of terrorAnd check the show of pride;By open speech and simple,An hundred times made plainTo seek another's profit,And work another's gain.Take up the White Man's burden--The savage wars of peace--Fill full the mouth of FamineAnd bid the sickness cease;And when your goal is nearestThe end for others sought,Watch sloth and heathen FollyBring all your hopes to nought.Take up the White Man's burden--No tawdry rule of kings,But toil of serf and sweeper--The tale of common things.The ports ye shall not enter,The roads ye shall not tread,Go mark them with your living,And mark them with your dead.Take up the White Man's burden--And reap his old reward:The blame of those ye better,The hate of those ye guard--The cry of hosts ye humour(Ah, slowly!) toward the light:--"Why brought he us from bondage,Our loved Egyptian night?"Take up the White Man's burden--Ye dare not stoop to less--Nor call too loud on FreedomTo cloke your weariness;By all ye cry or whisper,By all ye leave or do,The silent, sullen peoplesShall weigh your gods and you.Take up the White Man's burden--Have done with childish days--The lightly proferred laurel,The easy, ungrudged praise.Comes now, to search your manhoodThrough all the thankless yearsCold, edged with dear-bought wisdom,The judgment of your peers!"
Even wikipedia failed to mention this poem as a part of his body of works. There is an obvious need for some people to hide/dimutize Kipling's potential racist tendencies.

A Person I'm Not Sure About