Are head wraps unprofessional?

As a naturalista I oftentimes struggle with how to wear my hair in the work place. Most of the time I go to work early, don't feel like twisting my hair at night, or just want to be lazy and not deal with my hair. If I don't work I'll opt to just let it go wild and free, or tie it up in a head wrap; but is this acceptable for work??

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Majority of the time head wraps and turbans are worn for religious reasons and should not be discriminated against in the workplace. They were originally used to convey modesty, spirituality, and prosperity. Even men in Africa wear them as a symbol of wealth and social status; a nonverbal communication of their place in life. It shows if you are married, widowed, a grandmother, etc. They are also used as protection from the hot sunrays. Back in the day they were the badge of enslavement or the "black mammy" servant stereotype. Overtime it has become both a uniform of rebellion and a helmet of courage.

Head wraps are often vibrant colors and prints and patterns and are very beautiful and versatile. It is a cultural fashion statement not only expressing the African heritage, but paying homage to African fashion as well. However, it is more than just a fashion statement. In Africa head wraps are a way of life, social status and survival. Here in America people wear them to show courage and as part of their cultural identity.

But what about those of us who just don't feel like dealing with our hair and want to tie it up or hide the thick matted mess on top of our head m, instead of spending hours trying to tame our mane? Don't get me wrong, I love my natural hair, but it is not the easiest to maintain and keep up. I pray to never have a daughter because I am terrible at doing hair. And let's be real, we can't always afford to get our hair done all the time. So what do you do? Wake up early to do it, let it go wild, or put on a head wrap? Is it acceptable at your job?

I am still pretty new at my current company so I haven't tested the waters nor asked about head wraps. At a previous job I was asked to not wear my head wrap on the floor around customers. I was offended. Not because I wear them for religious reasons, but because you'd rather me wear my undry miss ceily twists in front of the customers? How embarrassing! She ended up letting me keep it on, but I had to stay in the back and never wear it to work again. What if I would've thrown the culture card? Why is it okay in public but not at work? How are head wraps unprofessional? Who defines professionalism?

Religion and cultural reasons aside head wraps are a symbol of creativity. If you are so called distracted by my hair or head wrap you are obviously too focused on me. I wish society would just accept everyone for who they are and let them be themselves (unless you're a murderer or rapist or something that sentences you to jail time of course). If I owned a business I would let my associates wear head wraps or whatever as long as it wasn't provocative or explicit. I don't view them as unprofessional, they are simply art!