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Disclaimer: I want to be sure folks understand that my overview of Black Film history is extremely brief here and I do not profess to be a film history guru.  I will fully admit that many of the things stated here are generalized for the sake of brevity, and that an entire book could be written on this subject.  I simply tackled it for the big picture affect.  This idea was sparked from my last entry regarding my review of Red Tails, and the ensuing clamor I saw happening the weekend it premiered.  Enjoy.

George Lucas appeared in various places to promote Red Tails, a film paying homage to the Tuskegee Airmen. In a viral explosion, Facebook, Twitter, blogs and various other media quoted Lucas on how he couldn’t get financial backing from major studios for Red Tails because of its all Black cast. In the minds of major film studio execs, an all Black cast for any story would not generate enough sales domestically or internationally. Lucas shared the logic of the execs with blunt terms, and said that he put $58 million of his own money to distribute the film. Lucas had confirmed the racism within the Hollywood system, and it became a rally cry to support Red Tails with its dollars to disprove “the suits”. Various other Black writers and bloggers were skeptical as to why they should see the film, even using Lucas’ interracial relationship as fodder for their criticism.  Nevertheless, the primary voices seemed to shout, “We have to show Hollywood that Blacks have a voice!  If we don’t support this with our money, we can say goodbye to high budgeted, good quality films!”  It was  a call to action to prove the power of the Black audience and their desire for positive portrayals, that all black casts were just as equal to the primarily all White films distributed, as well as pay homage to these Black war heroes. If people didn’t see the film, it would prove the studios right and we would pretty much say goodbye to all Black films.  One must ask, is Black cinema truly in danger of extinction?  Through a brief look at Black film history we see that if extinction were possible, it would be less about the restrictions from major studios and more about the Black community that has diversified in many directions.

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Well here we are.  The point where we can really start to see the entertainment industry creating a new generation of talent.  How it’s beginning to spawn a generation raised off the images shown all around.  Young folks being clearly told what will make them rich and famous.  Not talent, not skill, not the use of the intellect, but sex and sexuality.  That message seems to get across to women most especially.

Here we have Montana Fishburne, daughter of acclaimed and world famous actor Laurence Fishburne.  Her name has been all over the place in the past few days because she has decided to get into the porn business.  She is quoted as saying that she entered porn first because…

“I’ve watched how successful Kim Kardashian became and I think a lot of it was due to the release of her sex tape by Vivid,” Fishburne said in the press release.” I’m hoping the same magic will work for me. I’m impatient about getting well-known and having more opportunities and this seemed like a great way to get started on it.”

Well, how wrong is she in her assessment really?

Look at Kim Kardashian.  Paris Hilton.  Many of the young starlets and socialites that have reality shows right now.  Kim being known especially for her sex tape with Ray J.  No one knew the Kardashian name before that.  Now, all 3 of the Kardashian sisters have fame.  They have multiple reality shows and product lines.  Ray J sure isn’t suffering either.

Paris Hilton had a sex tape too.  Didn’t stop her fame; in fact, it increased it.

They’ve become household names and idols to plenty of women.  So now, all eyes are on Montana.  Within days the story has circulated all over the major blogs and news sources.  The question now is, will someone give her an acting job or reality show?

When it comes to entertainment, exactly what do we value?  Does our society REALLY care if a girl’s first debut is in a porno, or if their claim to fame is having sex with a bunch of celebs?  Yes the production studios have put money behind these women who have chosen (key word) to exploit themselves; and yet, many people keep watching.  Who is setting the value: the watcher or the people providing the content?  If women like Kim Kardashian, Paris, Superhead, and Kat Stacks are the new standard for fame and success, then how can you blame Montana for what she is doing?  Sasha Grey was in a feature film by an acclaimed director, and now a regular on Entourage.

The same things we say we condemn, we are rewarding.

So clearly, we can’t really fault Montana’s judgment much, can we?

Well low and behold, we can get a preview of Montana’s work on this “music video” she has (surely to come with the DVD).  Here she is, shaking her ass, as famed porn actor/director Brian Pumper raps.  The track is called “Oh, And It’s Shaved”.

Classy.

God I feel bad for Laurence.  Word is, he’s really unhappy about this.

But let’s take a look at the patience factor Montana mentioned.  She wants fame and doesn’t want to wait.  Well, nothing is guaranteed in the entertainment industry.  Black male actors are definitely few and far between.  I wouldn’t doubt Laurence has some connections though.  But what if his connections are becoming out-dated or too slow to work?  What if he is also suffering from not gettin much work?  I mean, aside from CSI, he hasn’t been in anything very note-worthy lately.  Nothing of Matrix or Othello status.  So, Montana wants to get rich, nationally recognized and famous, quick.  Well…She did it, didn’t she?

I’ve always found it kinda interesting how some famous peoples kids get famous.  Some of their parents give them a guiding hand, and then some don’t.  They say, do it yourself.  I’ve never quite understood what all goes into that.  What if Montana tried daddy for help, and daddy said “No.”  Then what?  Pay dues, or get naked?  Seems like you have a higher chance at fame and fortune getting naked now than you do with hard work.  *shrug*

And according to her, it seems like having sex with a camera around is nothing new to her.  (God I feel bad for Laurence).

But hey.  She’s 19 (barely).  She’s an adult, right?  At this point she has to make her own decisions.

How do we judge?  I don’t judge porn actresses.  In fact I interviewed one (look below).  And in her own words, the biggest pornographic actresses are Paris and Kim Kardashian.  Remember Paris’ Carl’s Jr Commercial?  Half naked on a car?  That was shown all day.  When kids could see it.  If a person wants to get into porn, for adult viewers only, and they care about the line between adult entertainment, well then there’s not much one can say.  But if someone produces adult themed content, without care if children watch it, or what message it sends to young viewers, then who is going to police those values?  Not many people have so far.

I surely can’t help but to feel bad for Laurence.  I saw that video with Montana (aka Chippy D), and felt bad.  It was like a mentor or teacher’s daughter was on the video. And there she is, dancing  for money and to be recognized.  Lord knows that this may be an acting out of “daddy issues”.

But hey…What can anyone say if, in the months to come, we see her name all over Twitter, and her making guest appearances at parties, getting paid a few thousand to sit in VIP?

This is the fame we have come to cherish and now advocate.

As they say “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.”