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Baby Powder Reveals Racial Discrimination

Baby Powder reveals racial discrimination. Photo Credit: glamourpage.com

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By Janice S. Ellis, PhD, Kansas City, MO –

Johnson & Johnson Baby powder has been around for decades and used by generations of women to keep their babies and their own bodies dry and smelling nicely. Who would have thought it could be the least bit harmful. Who would have thought it could be the source and cause of a deadly cancer.

A recent verdict in a lawsuit, brought against Johnson & Johnson following the death of a black woman who died of ovarian cancer, found that the baby power had contributed to the development of the disease. Johnson & Johnson was found liable for failing to warn women of the risk in using Baby Powder in the genital area.

Isn’t it natural to think that,  “If this baby powder is safe and good enough to put on my baby’s bottom, it is certainly safe and good enough to put on mine?” Not the case. And what is worse, the lawsuit went further in showing how the prevalent use of Baby Powder reveals racial discrimination on the part of Johnson & Johnson.

Baby Powder reveals racial discrimination

Baby Powder reveals racial discrimination. Photo Credit: naturallysavy.com

The company was also found guilty of negligence and conspiracy because as far back as the 1990s, it had acknowledged the health risks.  But instead of pulling the product or putting a warning on its label, Johnson & Johnson increased its marketing campaign. Guess to whom? Black and Hispanic women.

Baby Powder Reveals Racial Discrimination

Black and Hispanic women have historically bought the product at a very high rate. Johnson & Johnson invested even more dollars to get more of these unsuspecting women to buy a product that had known health risks. And what about the generations of babies, especially girls, who have been brought up using Baby Powder? What health issues might they encounter as they age? Baby Powder has been around for more than 100 years.

The fact that the use of Baby Powder reveals racial discrimination was deliberate by Johnson & Johnson further undermines our trust as consumers. More than 1,000 women and their families are suing. But to say these findings are disgusting, disheartening, and criminal is an understatement.

Baby Powder reveals racial discrimination. Who would have thought it?

Feature Photo Credit: glamour.com

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Janice Ellis
Janice Ellis
Janice S. Ellis, PhD, is an award-winning author. Her book, From Liberty to Magnolia: In Search of the American Dream is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other major book sellers. She has written a column for newspapers, radio, and now online, where she analyzes educational, political, social and economic issues across race, ethnicity, age and socio-economic status. You can see her writings on this website.

1 Comment

  1. Marilyn Gray says:

    The topic, regarding Johnson & Johnson, was very informative. I appreciate the fact that you have shared this news with others. For the company to have the knowledge that the baby powder gives women cancer, and yet, still sell it, and target the product to Black and Hispanic women is certainly, racist, unethical and very disheartening. I have some if that powder, but I have not used it for a couple of years, thank God. I will certainly dispose of it immediately. Your writing is sensational.

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