Doodlebug's been doin' some mighty bad things since he's started wearing them silk neck ties, and Agent Provocateur magazine's editor-in-chief, Maggie Dicks, would like you to consider making a submission for the publication's 2010 issue regardless of your fashion accessories.
Hosting a screening of '70s-era blaxploitation classic Cleopatra Jones on Nov. 12 in Doucette to raise awareness and generate interest in Agent Provocateur (AP), one viewer opined the film's racist and sexist overtones "fit perfectly with the magazine," for "[they] raise these issues so people can discuss them."
Now in its third year, Agent Provocateur aims to encourage discussion among its readership by way of examining the portrayal of women and minority groups within the media and how such intersections are reflected within the whole of society.
Though its content is centered toward feminism and the wider-ranging womanism (see Alice Walker's "In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens"), another in attendance later remarked how such ideologies are unfortunately pigeon-holed as little other than a flannel-clad woman becoming angry upon having a door held for her: "It's about equality! Men can hold doors for women, other men, have doors held by women; how is the job market going to shift from women being the majority at colleges?"
Casting the event as call-and-response theatre to not only have the audience become acquainted with the film by merely viewing it, but also to engage in critical thinking by providing an outlet to express "reactions to what they're seeing," such as to raise the question of Ms. Jones being either a strong, independently-willed heroine or simply a cartoon character.
While such a subject was briefly discussed afterward-her ease at trouncing men amid high heels, furs, and sly "It's cool, baby" one-liners- most attending appeared to find dialogue such as "See you 'round, supa honky" too silly to bother thinking about its social significance.
Though the magazine doesn't have any subsequent events planned as of the moment, Dicks notes those involved with AP are most focused upon its upcoming issue, which is planned for an April release. Asked what shape its third issue may take or where it may be headed, she explained the staff is hoping for more proper artwork to be submitted by the Feb. 28 deadline.
"We've had really good writing: essays, that sort of thing, submitted in the past," but "we haven't had so many works of art."
Encouraging potential contributors to express their ideas about anything they feel is important for others to know about or consider, even about the latent and overt themes found is Cleopatra Jones, she asserts of there always being a new take or "little tweak" on feminist issues to, both, be introduced and further explored.
"I don't think there's any category that would be excluded in relation to feminism," she continued. For more information, visit agentprovacateurmagazine.com.
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