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Texas teen who refuses to cut dreadlocks gets support, $20K from TV host Ellen DeGeneres

A Southeast Texas teenager who was told his dreadlocks violated his high school's dress code is gaining the support of celebrities as well as $20,000 for college.

DeAndre Arnold, 18, appeared on an episode of “The Ellen Show” Wednesday and was presented with a check for his college tuition by host Ellen DeGeneres and singer Alicia Keys.

Arnold, a senior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu in southeast Texas, said he was barred from school and won't be allowed to attend his graduation ceremony after the school said his hairstyle violated the school's dress code.

Barbers Hill Independent School District officials have said it's not about race and that the school allows dreadlocks but has rules about the length of male students' hair.

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

Arnold has already received messages of support from a number of high-profile celebrities, including Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who last week tweeted the teen, “Never cut your locks Deandre Arnold.”

Arnold’s case comes months after 13-year-old Pearland ISD student Juelz Trice and his parents sued the suburban school district after administrators at Berry Hill Junior High allegedly used a black Sharpie to color in his scalp when the youth arrived at school with a common fade haircut. The cut featured an “M” design shaved into his hair, which the suit claims administrators filled in with permanent marker.

A second student joined the suit last week, accusing administrators at Berry Hill Jr. High of also coloring in his scalp with a black permanent marker.

Arnold told DeGeneres that he wants to go to college to become a veterinarian. He said his dreadlocks are a part of his culture and heritage, noting that his father is from Trinidad.

“I really wish the school would kind of be open to other cultures and just, at least let us try to tell you some things," he said. "Don't just shut us out.”

DeGeneres urged the school to “do the right thing” and change its policy.

Singer and guest Alicia Keys presented Arnold with the supersized check for $20,000.

"I'm super proud of you for standing up for what you know is right," said Keys.

BoSoxGal wrote:Provide one sound basis for men being disallowed long hair while women are allowed it - besides ‘because they said so’.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Lyrics

Play "Almost Cut My Hair"
on Amazon Music (ad)

"Almost Cut My Hair"

I almost cut my hair
It happened just the other day
It was gettin' kinda long
I could-a said, it was in my way
But I didn't and I wonder why
I feel like letting my freak flag fly
And I feel like I owe it to someone

Must be because I had the flu for Christmas
And I'm not feelin' up to par
It increases my paranoia
Like lookin' at my mirror and seein' a police car
But I'm not givin' in an inch to fear
Cause I promised myself this year
I feel like I owe it to someone

When I finally get myself together
I'm gonna get down in that sunny southern weather
And I find a place inside to laugh
Separate the wheat from the chaff
I feel like I owe it to someone

Long Run wrote:This is a dredful thread.

TPFKA@W wrote:You'd need a gaggle of lawyers because there's a lot to comb through.