Red Table Talk’s influence on brave conversations.
We’ve been waiting for the Oprah of our time and we got an intergenerational power trio instead.
Observation
What started with the intention to pursue a hobby has become a highly anticipated daytime Emmy-nominated thirty-seven episode series - all accessible with a few taps to Facebook Watch. Since the show’s biggest episode: Jada’s one-on-one interview with Jordyn Woods, Kylie Jenner’s ex-bestie accused of hooking up with Khloe Kardashian’s then-boyfriend Tristan Thompson, Red Table Talk (RTT) has addressed some very controversial, difficult matters with some incredibly brave people. Dubbed “A talk show that gets real”, 6.4 million followers tune in to witness the unheard between Jada Pinkett Smith, her daughter, Willow, and mother, Adrienne Banfield Morris. The the comments section and the RTT closed group on Facebook has become a safe space for understanding, with the underlying certainty that we're all equally human.
(A metaphorical Red Table of sorts)
The RTT Facebook Group has 554,402 members with a strict application process to become a member.
Red Table Talk sends out the flashing message that different perspectives and active listening can transform a generation—if we're open to it. For 20 minutes per episode, what happens at dinner tables across the country is happening on your screen, allowing viewers to reflect on serious conversations based around respect.
- Andie, Pop culture critic at www.popdust.com
Some topics addressed have included:
Interracial Marriage with Ellen Pompeo
Does Porn Ruin Relationships?
Unconventional Relationships: Can Multiple Relationships Work?
Children Forced into Marriage
Black and Gay in America with Don Lemon
Domestic Abuse: When Love Turns Violent
The Racial Divide: Women of Color and White Women
Should White People Adopt Black Children?
Surviving R. Kelly: The Aftermath
Why
It’s the brave conversations that happen at your dinner table come to life - and it’s risky, but probably some of the most valuable content we have available across the 3 social platforms currently.
In a “connected” world that’s constantly becoming more divided, we crave platforms that force us to come together and listen to perspectives, experiences and opinions. Albeit challenging and likely to cause disagreement, more people are understanding the importance of listening to each other in an ironically increasing disconnected world.
The need for brave conversation is becoming more and more demanding as we add more and more filters onto everything we do, say and believe. RTT offers its audience raw honesty on important topics that although is sometimes difficult to hear and accept, forces you to.
Future
This platform and the response to it highlights the need for brave conversations across topics. It also highlights the desire for more personal views into the lives and experiences of the people we are influenced by.
- KH