Justice

Viral Photos of Two Teachers Get Different Reactions

September 13th 2016

The Internet has gone wild for another "sexy teacher" – but this time it's a guy at the center of the frenzy.

The reactions to photos of Jamel Fenner in a classroom (who is not actually a teacher, but was perceived as one online) are markedly different from the backlash against fourth-grade teacher Patricia "Tricey" Brown, who recently sparked the #teacherbae hastag.

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As expected, the comment thread was full of heart-eye emojis, desires to return to school, and promises of perfect class attendance.

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While some (like the commenter above) deemed Fenner's outfit unprofessional for a teacher, they did not launch the same onslaught of body- and slut-shaming that Brown faced for her "too sexy" outfit.

Brown's photos sparked debate in the Facebook thread, illustrating a sexist double standard.

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It also appears that Fenner is not a teacher but a self-described "Semipro boxer/Model/Actor," as stated in his Instagram bio. According to a screenshot of an Instagram post, which has since been edited, he was hired to help clean the classroom, not teach.

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Whether or not he's a teacher, the contrast between the reception of Brown and Fenner's photos reveal how women's bodies are unfairly scrutinized, blamed, and shamed.

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