In honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we will be viewing and discussing the film: "Akeelah and the Bee": Set in South Los Angeles in modern times, AAkeelah and the Bee" tells the story of a middle school student who overcomes tremendous odds to compete in the national spelling bee. Akeelah's father has been murdered, one of her brothers has joined a gang, and the combination of personal tragedy and widespread poverty and violence have left her doubting herself and her own ability to succeed. with the support of a teacher who believes in her, Akeelah manages to win a local spelling bee, but soon learns just how much more challenging the competition has become as she advances to higher levels. "Akeelah and the Bee" touches on the issues of race, class, community and confidence that define--but don't necessarily determine--the paths of so many young Americans. Akeelah's successes embody Dr. King's dream of self-determination, even as the unfair inequities of opportunity she struggles against defy it.