Even in the porn industry, Black folks get the short end of the stick. Okay, that was corny. But author and journalist Lawrence Ross decided to explore the reality of black folks working in the adult entertainment world in his new book MONEY SHOT: WILD DAYS AND LONELY NIGHTS INSIDE THE BLACK PORN INDUSTRY.Ross, who is also the author of THE DIVINE NINE: THE HISTORY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES, follows a year in the life of porn star Lexington Steele to provide a narrative framework for the book. Now I haven't seen Mr. Steele in action, but apparently, his eleven-inch penis has earned him the right to request $75,000 per movie.
Talk about using what you got.
Ross also conducted hundreds of interviews with college professors, industry insiders, and other porn stars to provide a first-hand look at a world that many of us don't know much about. MONEY SHOT uncovers sexual and racial politics--including racism, and the hypersexual portrayal of Black women, discusses how AIDS plays a role, and looks at the close ties between the porn industry and the corporate hip-hop world (think Snoop Doggy Dogg's film).
It's not just sex. But is it ever?
MONEY SHOT is being hailed as an expose and cautionary tale (one that is not at all sugarcoated) for those who don't realize or ever thought about the serious dynamics at play in porn.
Comments: (11)
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By: Renemon on 3/29/2008 10:54PM
I heard that 18 homosexual men went in for immunization shots or something like that and they were given something else (without knowing) that contained the gov's newest weapon on gays and Blacks... the HIV/AIDS virus.
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By: dionice on 1/17/2008 11:35PM
Maybe JIA can give some insight on this???
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By: Clymel Thomas on 1/18/2008 1:41AM
Good review.
Cautionary stories should not be sugarcoated. When you show it all--exciting sex with the potentially bad undercurrents that also exist--people can make decisions that are not based upon wide-eyed excitement or ignorant fear.
Clymel Thomas,
Publisher of "Lit Up" and "Sex for a Season"
http://www.darkstreetlit.com
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By: Cecil Jones on 1/18/2008 1:53AM
Oh snap! A topic that I can shed some light on? There is no such thing as "Black Porn!" To make love with a Black man and ride that pony you've got to love what you do or call the police. What hurts Blacks in porn is the spear. It makes it look like all Blacks carry a concealed weapon and that's intimidating. First, the women want to try it and the White men are jealous or envious. This dynamic tension limits opportunities and forces the producers to portray "Black Porn" in a lesser light. Are we all really "That" big and that good? The really good ones know that size doesn't matter if you do it all. Within reason. I wouldn't kiss some of these so called "Porn Stars" on the mouth after seeing what they have done. And you wonder why everybody is so afraid of HIV? How low would you go to make a buck? We've got some of the "Biggest" fools in the industry trying to go too far. There is no love in Porn period. It's all exploitation and it's by invitation only.
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By: Lark Ellen on 1/18/2008 7:36PM
Well, I must say the industry that I was in some 20 years ago has not changed. I was one of few black porn girls and nude models and had a hard time earning what a blond silicon woman would make. I earned money yes, but at the cost of losing myself in a world that offered nothing in return. I admire the fact that someone has solid insight on what actually happens to a black adult star and is not willing to compromise themselves in doing so.
The industry was great while it lasted and then AIDS\HIV came in from a white man and then the blame was put on blacks entirely. I am glad I made a decision to get out and reach for a goal and an education that no has taken from me. I feel for the new black actress' out there because that seems to be easy money. If one is reading this, get out, get educated, and get real because what you are getting too old the industry will toss you aside and all you will have to fall back on is yourself. Take my advice.
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By: MistaO on 1/19/2008 9:10AM
You know, from what I've seen out there you'd have to wonder why any black women would consider or even do porn. I mean, go ahead and do you but most of the porn I've seen shows black women being degraded BEYOND the pale, if you get my drift. You see this stuff and pity any child that comes out of that female and any unsuspecting man she might trick into marrying her one day.
All's I can say is google and background checks before you get serious or propose now a days.
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By: amily on 1/19/2008 8:57PM
Oh, so nice discussion, and so reasonable comments Everyone should check out my upcoming show with my fabulous friends!! It premieres January 28th. Check out my website! http://multiraciallove.com
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By: amily on 1/19/2008 8:57PM
It was said he just enjoyed hot dating with a black girl on http://multiraciallove.com some hot pictures and a blog was attracting many fans ...so man fans show so much interesting to him there? Nice to enjoy what really it happened...
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By: xddy4u on 1/19/2008 11:32PM
I'm glad blacks are not making it big in "Porn". That's the most degrading way to earn a buck. Let the white women have sex with monkeys,hogs,dogs, and horses. Let the sisters say, "f--k that s--t, I'm going to make my money the respectable way, and not sell my soul for a buck". A 11 1/2 inch d--k ain't no big deal in the black community. Most brothers have their share of "love meat". That's one book I wouldn't a penny to read.
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By: pimp on 1/30/2008 11:13PM
O.K. heres the skinny, folks lets not be too hasty, remember you are talking about a bunch of sorry, dont want to work, give it to me free or at a discount, lieing, cheat on boyfriend, fiance, husband, or who ever is feeding my triflin a$$, bipolar, chemical embalanced, severely,proud but (dumb) black women who has been secretly having sex since 12 or sum, n-e wade these video ho,s are making me rich, of course the video will last forever but as long as a o dont have to work and can look down on other people, fine with me. PIMPIN
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