99% Invisible

100 Objects #18: Hair Relaxer

September 18, 2026·35 min·7-min readnarrativehistory
Podzilla Summary (7 min)
TLDR
The chemical hair relaxer, a product deeply embedded in Black American life, symbolizes both economic empowerment and the painful legacy of assimilation under white supremacy. While it built Black wealth and offered social mobility, new research reveals its potential health costs — partic

Sign up to read the full summary

Free AI-powered recaps of every episode, delivered to your inbox.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.

Guest

L

Lori L. Tharps

narrative on 99% Invisible

Mentions

Books, people, and resources mentioned in this episode.

People

Priscilla AlabiLori L. TharpsMadam C.J. WalkerAnnie Turnbo MaloneGarrett Augustus MorganGeorge E. JohnsonMalcolm XLinda Villarosa

Books

Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in Americaby Lori L. Tharps

Companies

Johnson Products Company

Research & Papers

NIH Study on Hair Straighteners and Uterine Cancer (2022)

Topics

Civil Rights HistoryInequalityLong Form JournalismRacial Justice

Listen to This Episode

Get summaries like this every morning.

Free AI-powered recaps of 99% Invisible and your other favorite podcasts, delivered to your inbox.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.