I wear my hair natural and have been for several years. I did this full time AFTER my move to Oregon from fashion-conscious Southern California. How African American or "ethnic" hair has become political, as some say, is beyond me.

I am getting back into the work force and more than likely it will be in an office. The city in Southern California where I came from didn't see a lot of "ethnic" hairstyles in the corporate world. I worked for a financial cooperative that didn't have many black women wearing their hair naturally. After I was diagnosed with a chronic illness 11 years ago, I began to wear my hair as a cute, short curly afro. One reason was because my hair was easier to manage and another was that my hair began to significantly fall out.

Some at work seemed to be affected by my sudden change in hairstyle from my relaxed permed hair to natural curls. Don't know what it says about their expectations but for me, it was a relief to be able to wear my hair in its natural state and begin to heal on so many levels. Not trying to keep a European standard of beauty that wasn't naturally mine.

Now, I know there are sistahs and bruthas out there who feel there's nothing wrong with relaxing "ethnic" or African American hair. For me, I began to wonder why the standard of beauty, especially in America, was important and more acceptable in the business world to wear one's hair - especially for black women - in a fashion that is not naturally one's own? "Ethnic" hair can be just as beautiful, whether as coifed kinks or looser curls.

And being able to wear my hair naturally and well maintained helps the strength of my hair and gives me encouragement to exercise more without the extra stress and drama or getting my hair "did" right after a workout or fast walk among the Douglas firs here.