“PULLING THE RACE CARD”, LITERALLY

As we celebrate Black History Month, I wanted to feature my sisters Sarah Pearson Collins and Kezia Pearson. These two lovely ladies have created a card game whereby people come together and discuss the issue of race.

We first met when we did a local pitch contest to help fund our small businesses in September 2021. They were vying for funds to help print their card deck – Pulling the Race Card. They won 1st place!! They had already presented the game to the Buffalo, New York Community by holding special events. Of course, I attended the next event they hosted after the pitch contest. 

I really did not know what to expect. But when we sat there and received instructions on moving forward in the game, I was glad to see that it was a safe space and that we could say what needed to be told without respectfully mincing words. We sat at a table with people we didn’t know or know well. We each received cards that were True or Not True. The speaker pulls a card, and the individuals in the group decide if it’s true or an assigned stereotype. Then discussion about the card occurs. People share their thoughts or experiences with the speaker’s words, and then they can change their initial response.

Sarah Pearson Collins and Kezia Pearson Two Sisters on the way to Shark Tank?

It was a great experience, and I felt like I was heard by people who didn’t look like me or experience the things indigenous people of color experience. And I thought that that was the most important part. My first thought was that these individuals came to the event voluntarily.  They can be a vessel to share our experiences even if they don’t fully understand. They can speak out against -isms that continue to plague our community – especially racism. Some even bought the cards while there, so that was further encouragement the discussion would not end at the venue. If you ever can make it to one of these events, please do not hesitate! You can invite them to a community center, classroom, or workspace near you! There’s so much that can be transformed through honest dialogue about race.

Thank you, Sarah and Kezia, for bringing this much-needed educational card game and events to our community. Next up: Worldwide!  You can follow them to buy the cards and follow them on Facebook at Pulling The Race Card, Instagram @pullingtheracecardgame, and TikTok @pullingtheracecard.