Nike Pulls Line Inspired by Samoan Tattoos

Nike halted production on a line of sportswear on Wednesday after an outcry that the designs were culturally insensitive. The women's running tights, bodysuit, and sports bra in the Nike Pro Tattoo Tech line were decorated with a pattern based on Samoan tattoos called pe'a, which are traditionally reserved for men.

"To the outside world it's just a design," a commenter, Freddie Ika, wrote on a Change.org petition that was launched on August 2 to protest the sale of the items. "But to my Polynesian people, it's sacred."