Races, Indians: United States. Virginia. Hampton. Hampton Normal and Industrial School: Before Entering School, Sioux: "Seven little Indians in four different stages of civilization" 1899 - 1900

Editor: Here we see Frances Benjamin Johnston's photograph titled "Before Entering School, Sioux." It depicts seven Indigenous children and what strikes me is the range of clothing. What's your perspective on this image? Curator: This photograph, taken at the Hampton Normal and Industrial School, showcases the systematic assimilation through dress. Notice how the raw materials of Indigenous clothing gradually morph into the manufactured textiles of Western society. What does this transformation reveal about the school's methods of cultural erasure and labor exploitation? Editor: That's a chilling interpretation. The image now feels less like a portrait and more like a record of forced change. Curator: Exactly. It's about understanding the power dynamics inherent in the production and consumption of these garments, and how they contribute to the erasure of Indigenous identity. Editor: I see it now; it's not just clothing, it's a whole system at work. Thanks for shedding light on that. Curator: My pleasure; paying attention to the material allows us to consider the complex historical forces involved.