Is This Teacher’s Attire Inappropriate? The Internet Can’t Decide
An Atlanta teacher shared photos of herself in her classroom and ended up at the center of an Internet-wide debate about what does or doesn’t qualify as appropriate work attire.
Patrice Brown, who has since been nicknamed #TeacherBae by the Internet, is a fourth grade paraprofessional at Boyd Elementary School in Atlanta and didn’t think anything of posting pics of herself in her work environment along with the hashtag #teacherstyle-but when social media users started noting her choice of attire (featured above), some labeling it as inappropriate, she soon ended up in a firestorm.
my favorite part of the #teacherbae discussion? those saying 3rd grade boys don’t look at their teachers *like that*.”
uh, yes they do.
— El Flaco (@bomani_jones) September 12, 2016
This is not professional attire, no matter how you look at it. And whether a teacher or teacher's aide, she's doing too much. #teacherbae
— Foster (@RSFfrom29403) September 14, 2016
No one should be wearing the same attire that you would on a date, to the club, etc. to work, at least not this type of attire. #teacherbae
— Foster (@RSFfrom29403) September 14, 2016
Other social media users have come to Brown’s defense, saying that the teacher’s attire doesn’t violate any school dress codes, and that it’s her curviness that people are actually offended by.
black women w/ curvy bodies are immediately judged and sexualized for something they have no control over #teacherbae
— EMMA (@emmakretch) September 12, 2016
If some skinny bishh wore that same outfit we wouldn't be having this discussion. Thick girl problems 🙄 #teacherbae pic.twitter.com/KHPXruxLr3
— 🇪🇷منى (@monakhalifaxo) September 12, 2016
I bet y'all wouldn't have nothing to say if she was built like this #teacherbae pic.twitter.com/eNQibGwdK8
— Wave Bari (@stackztootrill) September 12, 2016
A black woman is born w/ curves & is discriminated/sexualized, a white woman BUYS those same features and its 'trendy fashion' #teacherbae
— (R)evolutionary ♠️ (@B_MoOriginal) September 12, 2016
This black woman seems so happy & proud of teaching youth but y'all just had to sexualize the situation #teacherbae pic.twitter.com/g6bJkRkhhA
— bby tupac. 🍥 (@FrankHoecean) September 12, 2016
Brown, who has made her Instagram public again after privatizing it during the drama, told the Daily Dot Monday, “I just wish they would respect me and focus on the positive and what truly matters—which is educating the children of the future generations and providing and caring for them.”
Atlanta Public Schools has also released a statement regarding Brown and all of the attention she’s received:
“Atlanta Public Schools can confirm that Patrice Brown is a paraprofessional employed with the district,” Atlanta Public Schools said in a statement. “She was given guidance regarding the APS Employee Dress Code, the use of social media, and Georgia Code of Ethics for educators, and she has been cooperative in addressing her presence on social media.”
Photo Credit: Patrice Brown/ Instagram
