De’Andre Arnold, the Texas high school student who in December was suspended for wearing dreadlocks, is excited to show viewers of the Academy Awards telecast the hairstyle he has been wearing since seventh grade. In a phone interview shortly before his flight to Los Angeles, De’Andre, an 18-year-old high school senior, said that he was feeling “pride, and validation too,” for the opportunity he has Sunday. “The little kid with dreads is at the Oscars. I’m at the Oscars.”He was invited to the Academy Awards by the former N.B.A. The short was directed by Matthew A. Cherry and features the voice of Issa Rae.

Source: New York Times February 10, 2020 01:21 UTC