Making The Case For Black Girl Hair Reparations

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Attention: If you or a Black girl you know has been diagnosed with hair traumatization, you are entitled to all the compensation.

In June 2022, we reported on a new study by the City of Hope that found a link to the risk of breast cancer from chemicals in Black hair products. In addition last month, a similar link from chemical hair straightening was found to a high risk of uterine cancer. As a result, 32-year-old Jenny Mitchell filed a lawsuit against L’Oréal and other hair beauty product companies, citing that her uterine cancer was “directly” caused by their hair-straightening products. 

“Society has made it a norm to look a certain way, in order to feel a certain way. And I am the first voice of many voices to come that will stand, stand up to these companies, and say, ‘No more’.”

Black women have long been the subjected victims of chemically dangerous products and many of us are still reeling from such hair traumatic years. More importantly, Black women and girls were used to deceive other Black women and girls with the false belief that they could achieve the advertised results on the cover of perm boxes. 

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), victims of false and misleading advertising can file an advertising lawsuit against the responsible company in court. With mass-market companies such as L’Oreal, Dark and Lovely, and Revlon, the number of victims alone could result in a class action lawsuit, possibly representing millions of consumers. 

Moreover, whether or not companies were aware, consumers are also entitled to compensation for intentionally or recklessly causing emotional, physical, or psychological distress. Not only does hair damage cause physical injury, but also hair trauma. And while this form of distress may prove more difficult to substantiate in court, it does not make the case any less valid or urgent. 

Black women and girls may never recover from the deep-seated damage of chemical hair products, but they do deserve a chance to recover any form of compensation for a product that was falsely advertised and more urgently, caused several forms of trauma and distress. 

One of the crowning glories of a Black woman is the versatility of our hair. We didn’t get it easy, but we got it diligently. Our struggle with hair existed not because it’s bad, but because it’s been traumatized. Over time and through much trial and error, we learned to grow with it, and allow it to run its coarse.

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