The Zombie Commodity: Hair And The Politics Of Its Globalization

The article by Esther R Berry from 2008 explores the global trade of human hair, focusing on the cultural, economic, and postcolonial aspects, with a case study on Great Lengths International which sources hair from Indian temples. It discusses the ethical issues and exploitative nature of the trade, where Western consumers benefit from the commodification of Third World producers' hair, often at the expense of the latter's agency and visibility. The document critiques the racial hierarchies in the valuation of hair, the invisible labor of both producers and consumers, and the use of hair in various products. It also considers the potential impact of hair cloning technologies on the industry. The concept of hair as a "zombie commodity" is introduced, highlighting the paradox of hair being both a subject and an object, and the resistance it symbolizes against cultural and economic exploitation. The document concludes by reflecting on the complex consumer-producer relationship and the implications for identities and economies involved in the hair trade.