If you ask me what I did this weekend, I could say I saw my high school friends, went for a couple of brisk runs (brisk meaning chilly not fast) and went to the farmer’s market. But what I really did was binge-watch the first season of Red Table Talk. If you’re unfamiliar with the series, it’s Jada Pinkett Smith’s Facebook show. Truth be told, I have never been a real fan of Jada Pinkett. I have always felt she projected this air of over confidence and iciness.
Many of the episodes of RTT feature Jada, Jada’s mother and her 17-year-old daughter Willow around a red table, candidly covering topics from addiction to sex. The first episode I watched was on body image. Any preconceived judgements about Pinkett were instantly crushed. Jada openly talks about wearing turbans, due to recent, unexplained hair loss. Jada’s stunning daughter admits to always wanting to be the curvy girl, while being the skinny girl. And her beautiful 60-something year old mother talks about hating her thighs, although she can rock a bikini (with a 6-pack). They all conclude that we, as women, want what we don’t have body-wise. And Jada’s mom adds, what I’ve learned in years of counseling women, that this body stuff doesn’t fade with age.
A viewer question asked the women to name three things they loved about their bodies. This proved challenging for them, as it is for most of us. It’s far easier to point out what we’re dissatisfied with. When the episode ended, this question stuck with me. What would I say?
I’ve always had nice legs (though I feel the need to add a disclaimer- they’re so pale now and what’s up with knee wrinkles?). I’ve been fortunate to have nice skin, I have a comment about that I’ll save. And after freaking myself up, pre-mammogram, last week- I feel blessed nothing was found. So, I’ll say my boobs. Needless to say, I don’t walk around focused on what I love about myself. If you were answering the question, what would you say?
Oh, and luckily, a new season of Red Table Talk drops today. I’m going to try my hardest to save binging for after work.
OMG I have knee wrinkles too! What to do about this? I’m glad it is not just me but yikes.
THIS WAS HARD. Um, legs, hair… and the third took a while but does i like my long fingers count?