US teaching assistant dubbed 'Teacher Bae' at centre of furious online sexism row

Social media row: Patrice Brown has received support following a backlash over her choice of clothes while at work
Paris Monroe/Instagram
Jamie Bullen15 September 2016

A US teaching assistant is at the centre of a raging sexism and racism row over her choice of clothes in the classroom.

Patrice Brown, dubbed ‘Teacher Bae’, has come under intense scrutiny on social media over her choice of outfits while teaching nine and 10-year-olds in Atlanta.

Pictures from her now-private Instagram account have featured in blogs which debate whether her attire is appropriate following some criticism.

One uploaded image showed Brown, who is training to be a fully qualified teacher, wearing a skin-tight pink dress.

One woman said: “That teacher looks good but her attire is just inappropriate to be teaching a 4th grade glass. Little boys are pervs by like 2nd grade.”

But thousands have leapt to her defence following the row and said the assistant was being unfairly treated because she is a “black woman with curves”.

One supportive tweet said: “black women w/ curvy bodies are immediately judged and sexualized for something they have no control over #teacherbae

While 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 said attention should be focused on her teaching ability as she hit back at critics.

She said: “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 US media outlet Fox 5, her employer said Brown was provided “guidance” over dress code.

Atlanta Public Schools 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.”

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