It’s 2016 and women are still being told what they can and cannot wear because of how it makes others feel or behave.
When a woman covers up, she’s ‘oppressed’. When she shows her curves, she’s ‘looking for attention’ or ‘asking for it’.
And now the argument has reached the classroom after teaching assistant (a role known in the US as a paraprofessional) Patrice Brown, from Atlanta, shared some pictures of her at work on her Instagram page.
Patrice helps teach Year Five pupils (9-10-year-olds).
The pictures quickly began to trend under the hashtag #TeacherBae with some making jokes about how they would have paid more attention in school had their teacher looked like Patrice.
As the hashtag grew, people started to criticise what Patrice was wearing, saying her outfits were ‘inappropriate’ for school. Many used the justification that she teaches 9 and 10-year-old boys.
One woman commented: ‘That teacher looks good af but her attire is just inappropriate to be teaching a 4th grade glass. Little boys are pervs by like 2nd grade.’
However, many, many others stood up for the teacher, pointing out that the real issue – given that Patrice is wearing work appropriate clothing in all the pictures – is that she has curves.