"The Confident Gaze" Summary

The article “The Confident Gaze” by Shekhar Deshpande discusses issue of National Geographic which focused on India’s 50th anniversary of independence. Deshpande begins with a brief history of National Geographic and what it means for many Americans. Americans see the magazine is a reliable source of information about the rest of the world, and “[i]t has been a solid cultural reference for a number of issues” (Deshpande par 2). As Americans the majority of what we learn about certain cultures comes from National Geographic. We use the magazine in our schools, in our homes, and in our workplaces. Deshpande mentions that many parents view the magazine as vital for their children as it exposes and educates them about the realities of the rest of the world (par 2). For over a century National Geographic has delivered to us documentation of other cultures through photos and articles, and over time has gained our respect as a truly reliable source which holds nothing back.
However, Deshpande questions Americans ability to truly take in the magnitude of what National Geographic’s photos represent. He also questions National Geographic’s ability to present the photos in a truthful way. Deshpande states that while National Geographic “covers or represents such issues or situations, it can sanitize and even beautify the blood and the gore of the conflict” (par 11). Deshpande claims the richness of the photos content only serves to distract readers from the photos relationship to the environment or the context in which the photo was taken (par 13). In other words, while National Geographic does not shy away from including important issues in their magazine, they often use softer images and relatively small issues so that Americans will accept the information. By doing this, it takes away from the importance of the issue itself and does not convey the reality of what other, less developed civilizations go through.
National Geographic does this by “providing an identity formation to its readers” (Deshpande par 16). Deshpande sees National Geographic doing this by incorporating elements of the Western and modern world into its photos (par 16).
Why is National Geographic relevant to Americans when it is so focused on the disparity between the “us” and “them?” Deshpande points out that especially in the “India Turning 50” issue of National Geographic, Americans notice a sense of progress coming from India. Through “its commitment to democracy, the rise of the professional class, the spread and competence of its technology, etc.” it seems as if India has something to prove to the Western culture (Deshpande par 16). Perhaps this apparent strive towards democracy is what has made India the second most featured country in National Geographic. While the photos show us images of poverty and suffering, we are comforted by the fact that India has in fact been independent for 50 years, and has at least made a fraction of what Americans would define as “progress.” This is strongly emphasized by National Geographic’s editors who are making a conscious effort to make “the world a happy place and a happy place especially for the Western eye” (Deshpande par 9). The magazine does this by focusing on minute details about life in India, and leaving out the larger, very real issues such as war. So while Americans feel as if they are really learning about a culture, they are in fact only standing on the outside looking in; and looking through a lens wielded by people who are only selling us another product, not wisdom.