A US teaching assistant has become the centre of a heated online debate over sexism and racism after her choice of clothing in the classroom drew criticism. Patrice Brown, known online as 'Teacher Bae', has faced intense scrutiny on social media over outfits she wore while teaching nine and ten-year-olds in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pictures from Brown's now-private Instagram account have been shared on blogs, with some questioning whether her attire is appropriate. One image showed Brown, who is training to become a fully qualified teacher, wearing a skin-tight pink dress. A critic commented: 'That teacher looks good but her attire is just inappropriate to be teaching a 4th grade class. Little boys are pervs by like 2nd grade.'
However, thousands have defended Brown, arguing she is being unfairly targeted because she is a 'black woman with curves'. One supportive tweet read: 'black women w/ curvy bodies are immediately judged and sexualized for something they have no control over #teacherbae'. Another user, Jay Warren, added: 'Y'all focused on her body and not the TYPE of teacher she is? If she's a good teacher helping youth grow why y'all sweating her? #teacherbae.'
Speaking to the Daily Dot, Brown hit back at critics, saying attention should be on her teaching ability. She stated: '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.'
In a statement to Fox 5, Brown's employer, Atlanta Public Schools, confirmed she had been given 'guidance' over dress code. The school system said: '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.'
