Kick Ass Pictures And Free Speech: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Now that their former trophy star Mary Carey has abandoned her political aspirations and decamped elsewhere, what can Kick Ass Pictures do to distinguish its product from all that run-of-the-mill porn out there? Why, release a run-of-the-mill DVD with a cast of (mostly) black performers, call it "Nappy Headed Ho's", and frame it all as a statement:

"We see this as a free speech issue," stated Kick Ass president Mark Kulkis. "As an adult media company, we're especially defensive of free speech. Don Imus is a loudmouth and perhaps a bigot. However, CBS Radio was hypocritical in hiring Imus to be blunt and outspoken, then firing him for the same reason. Fellow broadcast personalities Ann Coulter and Pat Robertson spew anti-gay slurs, yet they are not fired by their networks ... If Imus doesn't prevail, then there's a good chance he'll need some help with his retirement fund. If he doesn't choose to accept the money we collect, then we'll donate it to the United Negro College Fund.

Free speech issues and all those dictionary definitions on the box cover aside, there's something a little disingenuous about Kulkis' explanation: surely there are better ways to promote free expression than to use Imus' now-infamous racial slur as the title for an otherwise undistinguished porn flick. (And we seriously doubt he really needs any help with his retirement fund.) On the other hand, the title isn't really any more or less offensive than most of the other ethnic- or racially-themed ones the porn industry pumps out on a regular basis; once again, maybe we should all be more offended at the continued lack of originality than by yet another tired rehash of racist stereotypes. At least "Strokahontas" was, like, funny.

(And at least they're sticking with their "No Fake Boobs" policy on this one, which we guess is commendable in its own way.)

As always, gentle and fair-minded reader, we leave the final opinion up to you:

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· Kick Ass Pictures' "Nappy Headed Ho's" (nappydvd.com)
· "Kick Ass' Nappy Video Hits the Street" (AVN)