The Hard Hair Choice For Black Women

Dominican Republic Black Pride — In this Sept. 28, 2013 photo, 12-year-old Hillary Marte has her hair straightened at a beauty salon in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic. Despite their black roots, many Dominican women reject afros in favor of closely cropped or straight hair. Public schools for decades even prohibited students from attending classes with their hair loose or in a natural frizz. (AP Photo/Manuel Diaz)

Reset with Sasha-Ann Simons

The Hard Hair Choice For Black Women

In this Sept. 28, 2013 photo, 12-year-old Hillary Marte has her hair straightened at a beauty salon in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic. Despite their black roots, many Dominican women reject afros in favor of closely cropped or straight hair. Public schools for decades even prohibited students from attending classes with their hair loose or in a natural frizz. (AP Photo/Manuel Diaz)

Manuel Diaz

By Michael Liptrot Sasha-Ann Simons

For decades chemical relaxers have been central to the hair regimen of many Black women. Recently, court cases and ongoing studies have challenged that these same chemical relaxers are linked to cancer. Reset convenes a panel of health and community voices on what this means for Black hair.

GUESTS: Arionne Nettles, journalist, lecturer at Northwestern University
Mary Mitchell, Chicago Sun-Times columnist

Dr. Maya Green, MD/MPH, infectious disease specialist and Chief Medical Officer, Howard Brown Health