As we all know, Spirit Week is a huge deal at Green Level and many surrounding schools. A popular theme was “Barbenheimer” based on the movies Barbie and Oppenheimer coming out on the same date. Taking creativity to the next level, people started to merge pink and black shades for their outfits.
A recent situation that occurred in October of 2023, has gained popularity and is just now starting to go viral.
According to the News & Observer, a male 7th grade teacher was seen, “standing in a hallway at Martin Middle School in Raleigh wearing what some people have described as a tutu.” This image of the teacher taken by the account “Libs of TikTok” was posted on social media and gained 700 reposts and 1,600 likes within an hour.
This statement has caused lots of controversy and criticism throughout the Triangle area.
Moms of the students argue that wearing a tutu around 11 to 13-year-olds is not professional and gives off the wrong impression. Allen Mashburn, a conservative commentator and former Republican candidate for NC’s lieutenant governor states that this sense of style is, “delusional. It’s confusing for the children to think this is OK — it’s NOT.”
On the other hand school officials, such as Marla Mendora, Martin Middle School’s principal, have highlighted that the teacher, Adam Chu, has not violated any dress code criteria and does not distract from any work being done in the classroom.
Chu has assured the public that even though these conflicts arose, his job is not in jeopardy. He seems to take the whole situation with a light heart and take it as a joke. He told the N&O sarcastically, “‘I agree with the Moms for Liberty that I was totally not pulling off the tutu,’ Chu said. ‘Not my best look. This is what I get for trying something new.’”
The adults in this situation have claimed what they believe, but what about the impacted students? Meghana Jammanagari, a sophomore at Green Level, feels that it’s not that big of a deal. “It’s fine, as long as it doesn’t distract students from working and it’s only during spirit week,” Jammanagari said. “Tutu’s are fun, anyone can wear them, but in the right situation.”
After much speculation, it has been concluded that the majority of people believe that Chu has not violated any dress codes, imposed any wrong impressions, and has appropriately expressed his enthusiasm for Spirit Week through fun outfits and creativity.
