Crime, Children, Truant Schools: United States. Massachusetts. Oakdale. Worcester County Truant School: Worcester County Truant School, Oakdale. 4-Jan

Curator: Here we have "Crime, Children, Truant Schools: United States. Massachusetts. Oakdale. Worcester County Truant School: Worcester County Truant School, Oakdale," a collection of writings from an unknown date by various authors. Editor: The compositions, pinned on a neutral background, strike me as raw and immediate, like a series of unfiltered thoughts. Curator: Indeed. These unfiltered thoughts give us insight into the lives of children within the Truant School system, reflecting on themes of childhood, discipline, and institutionalization. What power dynamics are at play here? Editor: The handwritten quality and the apparent age of the paper lend a sense of intimacy, almost like peering into personal diaries. Note the lines, the density of text, each a mark of intention. Curator: Precisely. The materiality underscores the lived experiences, the struggles, and perhaps the resilience of these young individuals navigating a system designed to correct them. What do these fragments tell us about our understanding of childhood and social control? Editor: I find the visual evidence of the handwriting itself speaks volumes, each slant and curve hinting at a unique voice. Curator: These texts serve as a poignant reminder of the complex intersections between social policy, individual agency, and the narratives we construct around youth and transgression. Editor: A small insight into another world.