What’s Due? Article pitch Friday 2/7

Thank you for pitching stories — and apologies for those who weren’t able to get feedback. The fleshed out written version is now due.

Your pitch, for a 500 to 700-world newsy feature story, should be about 200 words long. Make sure to write a headline (and a subhed if you’d like). As you write think “why this story at this time?” In other words, what is new/news? Also briefly sketch out how you plan to report the piece. Put your final in this google doc, with your name in the subject line, by Friday February 7 @ 11:59 PM. Follow the format of the (shortened) pitch for my hair relaxer story below.

Headline: Untangling the Dangers of Hair Relaxers

Last October, a much-discussed study conducted by the National Institutes of Health found the risk of uterine cancer more than double for women (read Black women) who frequently use hair straightening products compared to those who don’t. Uterine cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system, and the most aggressive subtypes have been on the rise since 2000 – especially among Black women. This research, the first to make this link, adds to a growing body of evidence and mounting concern that straighteners can increase the risk of other hormone-related cancers in women.

The ingredients in hair relaxers are also vastly under regulated. Scientists and others have long known that straightening products used by Black women contain carcinogens and endocrine disrupters that interfere with hormone function. Yet, though Europe bans an estimated 1300 toxic ingredients in beauty products, the United States only prohibits nine. Consumers are left in the dark: a 2018 study found 45 chemicals that can disrupt a woman’s hormones in 18 hair relaxers tested, but 84 percent of these ingredients weren’t listed on the product labels. 

A story would examine the link between hair relaxers and cancer and other health problems, the reasons for the lack of oversight by federal regulating agencies and the historical and current societal pressure of Black women to straighten their hair. It would include a class action lawsuit created in response to the new research about the products and their dangers. 

What to read for 2/11: Bitter Rivals, Beloved Friends, Survivors by Sally Jenkins, The Washington Post. 

What’s due in class on 2/11: We will do a writing exercise in class — and come ready to discuss or create outline/first draft of your story.