Black ABC’s: soulful educational flashcards from 1970s Chicago

Whilst procrastinating doing research on Pinterest I came across an image of the most adorable black girl with pigtails and the caption ‘S is for Soul Sister’. After some more digging I came across a website where I found out this card was part of a set of flash cards published during the 1970s by the Society for Visual Education in Chicago.

“The pictures are of people and situations particularly relevant to many city children and thus can make the reading readiness program in city schools more meaningful.”

You often don’t realise the impact images have on you whilst you’re in school until you’re much older. I’d imagine these images would have helped instil a positive self image in the children who interacted with these flashcards. I know there’s a full set of the original cards somewhere and I’d love to get my hands on them!

If these had been recommissioned, what do you think they’d look like?

source: Owen & Jones Partners LTD