Races, Negroes: United States. Virginia. Hampton. Hampton Normal and Industrial School: Agencies Promoting Assimilation of the Negro. Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, Hampton, Va. 1899 - 1900

Curator: This is a photographic print by Frances Benjamin Johnston, part of her series on the Hampton Normal and Industrial School, documenting efforts to assimilate Black Americans. Editor: It's striking how Johnston contrasts two distinct settings side by side. The image on the left is stark—an old cabin, while the other presents what seems to be a more refined dining scene. Curator: Precisely. Johnston, commissioned by the school, intended to show the progression from a past of poverty and rural life to a future of middle-class respectability through education at Hampton. Editor: The composition in the "cabin" scene is quite dark, almost claustrophobic, emphasizing the figures' isolation. The right scene is brighter, with the table acting almost as a stage. I think this juxtaposition is key to the message. Curator: The photographs were intended to demonstrate the supposed civilizing impact of institutions such as Hampton. However, we must also recognize the agency of Johnston's subjects. They were not merely passive symbols. Editor: Indeed, and the framing, while clearly staged, captures something of the individuals' resilience and dignity. There is a sense of self-awareness despite the manipulation. Curator: By placing these images together, Johnston prompts a discussion on the complexities of assimilation, identity, and the power of visual representation. Editor: It reveals how formal choices, such as lighting and composition, can reinforce or challenge societal narratives about progress. Curator: Food for thought, indeed. Editor: Quite literally.