Ellen DeGeneres surprises teenager told by school to cut his dreadlocks with $20,000 scholarship

'If girls can have long hair, why can’t I?' student asks

Sarah Young
Thursday 30 January 2020 10:42 GMT
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Ellen DeGeneres surprises teenager told by school to cut dreadlocks with $20000 scholarship

Ellen Degeneres has surprised a student who was told he could not attend his graduation ceremony unless he cut his dreadlocks with a $20,000 scholarship.

On Wednesday, DeAndre Arnold, a student at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to discuss the alleged discrimination he is currently facing over the way he styles his hair.

At the start of the segment, DeGeneres told Arnold: “I'm sure this is not easy or comfortable for you,” referring to his appearance on television, “but I want you to just relax and know that I'm here for you.”

The 18-year-old went on to claim that he had been suspended by his school over the length of his dreadlocks and told by his principal that he needed to cut his hair in order to return to education.

Arnold, who has worn dreadlocks for years, added that he always followed the school’s dress code by tying up his dreadlocks which keeps his hair off his shoulders, above his earlobes and out of his eyes.

However, he told DeGeneres he was informed he was in violation of the dress code soon after the Christmas break.

The host continued by asking Arnold if there were girls in his school with long hair, to which he responded: “There’s plenty of girls with long hair at my school. If girls can have long hair, why can’t I have long hair?”

DeGeneres agreed, adding that she thought the policy was unfair and asked Arnold to explain why his dreadlocks are so important to him.

DeAndre Arnold says he has been suspended from school over the length of his dreadlocks (EllenTube)

“My hair really means – like, it’s really important to me,” Arnold explained.

“My dad is from Trinidad and you know, it’s part of our culture and our heritage. I really wish the school would kind of be open to other cultures. At least let us try to tell you some things. Don’t just shut us out.”

Arnold, who says he has not been allowed to attend school for a number of weeks, added that he was told if he doesn't cut his hair, his only options are in-school suspension or an alternative school for children with behavioural issues.

The student says it is unfair that girls are permitted to have long hair but boys are not (EllenTube)

“I’ve worked for this all my life. I deserve this. My parents deserve this. They got me through anything, they taught me everything,” he said.

DeGeneres later spoke into the camera and urged officials “to do the right thing”.

“I am begging you. This kid is a good kid. He deserves to graduate, to walk with all the other kids,” she said.

“He's a good guy. I just am urging you to do the right thing. Please.”

DeGeneres then invited singer Alicia Keys on stage to award Arnold, who plans to become a veterinarian, a $20,000 scholarship for college.

“I’m super proud of you for standing up for what you know is right,” Keys said as she handed over a giant cheque.

“I know the school needs to do the right thing. Me and Ellen called our friends at Shutterfly because we know that you’re a special person. And we know you’re destined for such greatness and we wanted to support that greatness and invest in that greatness.

“So we wanted to present you with a check for $20,000.”

Ellen DeGeneres awarded the teen with a $20,000 scholarship (EllenTube)

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Arnold hugged Keys and said: “Thank you so much.”

Arnold’s story first came to light earlier this month when he opened up about the alleged incident to CBS This Morning.

His mother, Sandy Arnold, said she believes the lack of diversity in the district is the real issue.

“There is no people of colour on the school board. I get it that they don’t understand his hair,” she said, adding that despite numerous attempts to reach out to board members to find a solution together, she never received a response.

Superintendent Greg Poole told CBS This Morning that the decision was not about dreadlocks or race, but about the length of Arnold's hair.

"There is no dress code policy that prohibits any cornrow or any other method of wearing of the hair," Poole said. "Our policy limits the length. It's been that way for 30 years."

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