Blaxpoitation and Big Business The writer examines the relationship that existed between U.S. corporations and the black consumers in the period of the 1970s. The main focuses of the chapter are three major trends that involved African-Americans during this period mentioned therein. These include the successful attempt by Hollywood to reach the African-American consumer market through the successful introduction of the film genre known as the Blaxploitation genre. The chapter gives examples of the films that made up this genre and how they were easily sold out to the African America population. It also shows how the films were welcomed by the Africa America population and how Hollywood really made fortunes from releasing one film after the other. Some of the films named include sweet sweetback, shaft, super fly among others. Historical and psychological insight helps in giving an explanation of why black consumers were manipulated easily through the film industry in this period. A contemporary pundit noted that "Right now, there is no question that black audience, starved for years for films that see the world from a black point of vies is eating up just about anything that is slickly served." However the African-American population soon came to the realization of how they...
They began advocating for production of better films which could benefit the African-American population instead of advocating violence, drug use, sexuality and other vices. The author indicates that "…an increasing number of blacks began to criticize what one scholar called the emotional and economic exploitation of blacks" (Pp 85). One such complaint was made by Junius Griffin who lashed out about the genre. He described these films as a cancer that is taking away the moral fiber of the black community.Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
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