After a disappointing few weeks, DeAndre Arnold is getting to celebrate his style atthe Oscars.
The high school student made national news last month when he claimed his school had suspended him for wearing his hair in dreadlocks. Arnold also said he would not be allowed to walk in his high school graduation ceremony unless he cut his dreadlocks, and was banned from the school’s prom.
In an exciting turn of events, the high school student walkedthe Oscarsred carpet alongside director Matthew A. Cherry, who is nominated for his short filmHair Love. The touching animated short features a black father who learns how to do his young daughter’s hair while his wife is in the hospital.
According toRefinery29, Arnold attended the show thanks to Gabrielle Union, Dwyane Wade and beauty brand Dove, who sponsored Arnold’s ticket and got him and his mom ready for the show.
“I’m so grateful. I never expected any of this,” ArnoldtoldRefinery29. “The message of that movie and my message go togethersowell. I think it’s really amazing how they reached out to me and we can fight this together.”
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Arnold said that his father is from Trinidad and that many men in his culture grow dreadlocks. “I really like that part of Trinidadian culture; I really embrace that,” he toldKPRC.
His mother, Sandy Arnold, told the news station that after Christmas break and three months before graduation, the school district changed the dress code policy.
“They say that even (when) my hair is up if it were to be down it would be not in compliance with the dress code. However, I don’t take it down in the school,” Arnold said.
Sandy toldCBS This Morningthat she believes the lack of diversity in the district is the issue. “There is no people of color on the school board. I get it that they don’t understand his hair,” she said.
source: people.com
