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Culture War Roundup for the week of May 20, 2024

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Some argued that the outrage wasn’t just about the singlet, but larger issues they see with the brand, like its limited sizing options (women’s sizing caps out at a 32-inch waist XL, or size 12 dress equivalent), or its decision to feature predominantly thin bodies in marketing, among other critiques.

I shouldn't be surprised, but I am. I'm a 32 inch waist, as a man, and I have a lot of trouble seeing a significant market for high end women's running clothing above my waist size.

It's deeply weird for me to see complaints about diversity in running, a sport dominated at the upper end by Kenyans.

It's deeply weird for me to see complaints about diversity in running, a sport dominated at the upper end by Kenyans.

Well, yes, but all those Kenyans are in far-off places like Kenya. How many Kenyans are in your local running group, the one the diversity-complainers see every day?

Not many, but any marathon with a sufficiently large cash prize will have many Kenyans or Ethiopians competing, and the Boston Marathon is no exception. Since the start of this century, the men's and women's divisions saw a combined six winners who weren't Kenyan or Ethiopian (and one was an American citizen who was born in Ethiopia to Ethiopian parents).