July 7, 2020Op-Ed: Black lives should matter in the medicine cabinet, too

Written by M. Isabelle Chaudry, human rights advocate and senior policy manager for the National Women's Health Network, a member of Coming Clean.

For decades, the company has marketed a product in Black communities thought to cause cancer: Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The company continues to do so today. For many Black women, including myself, the use of talcum powder — especially Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder — has long been a daily part of their self-care routine. Understanding these cultural norms, Johnson & Johnson engaged in aggressive, targeted marketing tactics among Black women for years, without disclosing the potential risks associated with use.