Is this OK to wear to work?

[LorlieS]

...on International Womens' Day?
I'm a primary teacher and unashamedly a feminist!

Prepare to be flamed or a least sink scrapingly toasted if you haven't totally thought out your entire feminist position before commenting on here!

Thanks@FrancescaContini for the giggle.
Every minute is a schoolday on this forum.

I agree. The rules on political impartiality in schools are clear and they apply to everyone. I wouldn't.

Would it be "too political" to wear a tshirt celebrating Einstein? Or Mozart?

There's no slogan, just the names. It's hardly controversial.

I don't know - other identity politics has made its way into most primaries now and this is IWD we're talking about. I think starting conversations about excellent women is a great idea and very inspiring to the girls in OPs class. It's only one day

Should we never mention women (in any context - women doing things is political, them not doing things is also political)?

I was thinking it's Katherine Johnson, the mathematician who worked for NASA.

You might be better with a t-shirt celebrating a specific woman that you know a lot about. I know it's primary, but there's a danger of wandering into Tim Lovejoy in a Ramones t-shirt territory ("What's your favourite album Tim?").

..and like it or not Constance Markievicz is definitely political.

Bit of an American selection of feminist icons. There are better ones I think.

Celebrating pioneering and inspirational women on IWD, what's not to love?

Um. News just in. According to their website Johnson is

Wait for it

You'll love this

Marsha P Johnson

There's no slogan or ideology. It's just a list of names. Apart from Constance Markievicz, who I do acknowledge might require a conversation a bit beyond primary level, it's a nonsense to say it's 'too political'.
But I seem to recall reading that the founder of B&B itself is a bit TWAW, if that bothers you.

Also a good one. And the ambiguity means you can ask 'How many famous women (not Marsha) with that surname can you think of?'

Constance Markievicz: first woman elected to the UK parliament. I agree going into the rest of her politics is probably too complex for primary.

When anyone buys the t-shirt they are giving their money to a company who says the Johnson is Marsha

I'm trying to figure out the pyjamas.

No further telling off required, thanks, but apology accepted.

Must not post on MN before checking I’m not caught in a purity spiral / drinking much-needed coffee.

Given delivery times and the closeness of the date I was assuming the money was already spent, @BackToLurk .

Annoyingly inevitable that of all the Johnsons, it’s Marsha. Might as well have been Boris

Thanks all. I feel as a primary teacher I'm in a position of power and won't shy away from my feminist stance.
We've had many a classroom conversion about my "fake husband" (I'm a Miss MyLastName). So many of the kids had no idea you didn't have to be a Mrs HisLastName so I set the record straight there! 😀

Yep, that’s who I thought of too.

Love your T-shirt OP!! It is brilliant!!

Everything’s political anyway.
Might as well brighten some young people’s day with some famous women!

For info. The Open University is introducing a short course about Dolly Parton.

https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/short-courses/axs006#details

This is an extract from the module description.

'Week 4: Performing gender and sexuality
Instantly recognisable by her tiny waist, large breasts and elaborate blonde wigs, Parton is as well-known for her extravagant, feminine image as she is for her singing voice. This week you'll explore Parton’s performance of gender and sexuality through her music, image and reception. You’ll consider different interpretations of her gender identity, including as a ‘real fake woman’, an astute businesswoman and an LGBTQ+ ally.'

I think she is a 'be kind' sort of ally rather than a flag waving chanting one. Must admit to being curious about this course.