National Geographic

The "Hottentot Venus" reminded me of National Geographic magazine. During my public school years, the magazine was easily accessible in not only libraries, but other institutions such as the doctors office...well anywhere were you wait for a public service. What I remember is that in almost every magazine you were guaranteed to come across tribal women of various races. The women were most likely naked. As described in the "Hottentot" article, to me these women fell somewhere between "man and animal." That is to put it roughly though, I never viewed any woman as an animal; I was raised better than that. Nonetheless the women did not evict the same response as seeing a naked Caucasian woman. Besides the hormonal aspect of viewing these tribal women (lack of hormones), they were also "fascinating" to me. I wondered why they were not dressed, what was with the ornate but distasteful piercings? The background consisted of some shacks and dirt...always dirt. Where were these places? It did not matter, because I did not live there.


I have grown up since then; I have been on two deployments, read some books and have taken a few years of college. I now know those pictures featured in National Geographic contained "real" places and people. The point is when I was in my tender years, anyone that did not look like me or those around me and adhere to my customs were odd. The problem is not everyone can afford college. Also like college the military, is not feasible for everyone. I think that if I was taught in school (K-12) of the various races or received a more worldly education, I would not have viewed those pictures as I did. A Euro-centric education does not help anyone. It is obvious that the exhibition of "exotic peoples" still exists, maybe not as direct as it once was, but in mind set and less subtle ways. The "Hottentot Venus" did not disappear, for one can find her on any porn site, and for some a National Geographic magazine...