So, did you know that boutique fitness studios have a diversity problem? Yeah, neither did most Americans. But The Washington Post thinks it’s an issue worth covering.
The once celebrated newspaper posted an article on Sunday titled “Is your spin class too young, too thin and too white?”
It featured an interview with yoga teacher Jessamyn Stanley, who complained that spin classes in the U.S. send out a specific message of exclusion.
“The messaging is essentially: You’re allowed in this space if you are white, slender, able-bodied and less than 45, cis-gender and heterosexual. And if you’re not, then you’re not welcome,” she said.
Interesting. Are there signs at these facilities that actually say only “white, slender, able-bodied, cis-gender, heterosexual” are permitted? If so, it’s time to name names!
That wasn’t all. The article also quoted Christina Rice, who felt like there weren’t other in her spin class who could understand her lifelong difficulties.
“I did bond with some of the other students,” Rice said. “But I did feel very isolated at times. There were no teachers of color. I didn’t have another woman who looked like me, who understood my struggles, my insecurities.”
To quote Rod Steiger, wait a minute…
Aren’t these events supposed to be for exercise, not some social justice event? You’re there to lose weight, get into shape, boost your metabolism, not learn about racial struggles.
Does everything in life need to be about social justice? The author, Lavanya Ramanathan, apparently does.
“Sweat through a class in one of these studios and it’s very possible that you’ll see it, too: many, many lithe young white bodies and very few people of color. Or older or heavier exercisers,” Ramanathan wrote.
Here’s the thing: nobody is preventing blacks, Hispanics, Asians, fat people, or lazy people from attending these studios. It is their choice not to sign up for these classes.
What happened to The Washington Post? Well, Jeff Bezos sees an opportunity: virtue-signal to the left and annoy the right.
Had to look up what a spin class is. To me the entire premise that one would think such a thing is too white, thin and young is on it’s face a statement of privilege. I don’t have that much leisure time or after my day the energy to attend such a class. After teaching 104 high school students I go home, mow the grass, shovel gravel on the drive and garden. Does this person pay others to do that? Maybe Hispanic others? Just the fact she has the time, money and the need to get exercise beyond actual productive work screams hypocrisy and privilege to my hardworking white self. Too good to get it the old fashion way?
Oh BTW I will be 58 in a few days and am in top physical condition. 5’7″ and 150. Been this way since 1984. No gym or machine needed, just a shovel, hammer or lawn mower. I do love to hike.
It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that statements such as those which appeared in the Washington Compost are designed to infuriate people to such an extent that the end result will be race war. It almost worked with me.
Good news is most are wide awake to the motive. Divide and distract from the real problem, government and those who get power from it.