This is a word, a podcast from Slate. I'm your host, Jason Johnson. For many of us, pornography

is a dirty secret, but it's also a multi-billion dollar business. And, like much of American

entertainment, perpetuate stereotypes about black people for profit.

Images of black women in pornography and black men really permeate society. These images

don't come from nowhere. Pornography did not create racism, but it amplifies that.

Racism important and how it affects the people who watch it and those who make it, coming

up on a word. With me, Jason Johnson, stay with us.

Welcome to a word, a podcast about race, and politics, and everything else. I'm your

host, Jason Johnson, just a warning. Today's episode deals candidly with the topic of pornography,

so it may not be appropriate for all listeners. Though many people don't talk about it, millions

of Americans do watch pornography. Incredible estimates show the industry generates

upwards of $10 billion a year in the United States. That's more than Hollywood. While

there's a raging debate about how pornography commodifies the exploitation of women, let's

talk about is how pornography can fuel racist stereotypes about black people and how black

performers are often exploited inside the industry.

Carolyn West is hoping to change that. She's a professor of psychology at the University

of Washington, who studies racism in the pornography industry and its impact on black women.

She's also produced an upcoming documentary on the issue called Let me tell you about

black chicks, images of black women of pornography. And Carolyn West joins us now. Welcome to a

word. Thank you so much for having me. You produced a documentary. Let me tell you all

about black chicks, images of black women of pornography. Now, I'm going to give the

audience some context here. Let me tell you all about black chicks is actually a sequel

...