Atlanta Public Schools 4th grade paraprofessional Patrice Brown has been the topic of much discussion for her work outfits. Brown, an Alabama State University graduate, has been given the title “#TeacherBae” because of her curvaceous figure and what some consider “too revealing” outfits.
In now deleted Instagram posts, Brown showed off some of her work week #OOTD. The internet responded with its usual polarized fervor. Over 19,000 posts have been shared about the topic. The central question is whether or not she dresses too provocatively for the classroom. The three images circulating the internet show her in outfits that had social media users in a tizzy.
There has been much and rather divided discourse on Brown’s fashion. Commenters are either criticizing her choices or defending her right to wear what she wants to work.
Critics of #TeacherBae feel her choices are better fit for brunch with friends or after-five outings, not multiplication tables and recess. They feel she is more of a distraction than resource for students in her form fitting clothing.
In response to the outrage over her fashion choices, counter-critics feel Brown is the internet’s latest target of misogyny-noir, sexism targeted specifically at Black women.
These social media users cited historical and current examples of African American women’s over-sexualization and subsequent indictments of their characters because of shapely bodies. One user even shared a photo of a dress that is allegedly the same as Brown’s in one of the now viral photos suggesting a White woman would not be under the same media fire for the same dress. Posts in support of Brown seem to outnumber the negative ones considerably.
Atlanta Public Schools has issued a statement about Ms. Brown’s wardrobe and her professional standing in the school. So far it seems they have reprimanded her for her social media presence rather than her clothing choices.
Overall users have been supportive of Patrice Brown. Some have even gone so far as to create a Twitter account dedicated to positive messages about her work and sense of style.
Also in true internet fashion, the whole uproar has been turned into a meme referencing popular culture.
At any rate, the blogosphere was a-twitter because of the curvy teacher. This past week of repost/sharing frenzy has made another entry in the novel of women, work, and the internet.
