A Word: “Good” Hair; Bad Health

In recent years, several states and localities have passed “crown”
laws, statutes that keep employers from discriminating against
African Amercans for wearing their hair in natural styles. That’s
because, historically, having straight hair has often been a
requirement for professional advancement for Black women in
particular. But there is more science emerging that connects
chemical relaxers with cancer. In today’s episode of A Word,
reporter and cancer survivor Victoria St. Martin speaks with host
Jason Johnson about the dangers of formaldehyde in hair relaxers,
the history of marketing toxic cosmetics to African Americans, and
consumer efforts to raise awareness. Guest: Victoria St. Martin,
Inside Climate News reporter  Podcast production by Kristie
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