Akeelah & the Bee
I just saw Akeelah & the Bee on the big screen. Keke Palmer gave a wonderful performance. Despite the cliches and stereotypes, I (constantly) got the knot, and that’s all that matters for me. Also noteworthy is the remarkable quote that fuels Akeelah’s drive:
Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of god. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of god within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
–Marianne Williamson
Technorati Tags: spelling bee, akeelah, keke palmer
May 11th, 2006 at 8:20 am
Thanks for the review – this looks like a terrific movie. I’ve heard that in addition to Keke Palmer, Fishburne and Bassett are also terrific.
May 11th, 2006 at 8:44 am
One of my co-workers went to see this the day it came out, and she also had very positive things to say about this movie. I probably won’t see it until it’s out on DVD, but I can truly relate to that quote.
As a black, Muslim woman, I often find myself “hiding my light under a bushel.” This is especially true in my dealings with Muslim men. As a friend of mine noted, “no man wants to talk to or be with a woman who is smarter than he is.” This may not be true in all instances, but I find it’s a notion shared by many withn my particular community.
When I’m at school though, I’m free to be me in all my geeky glory. I can express myself as I wish, without fear that I’ll be judged negatively. Quite often within my community, women who are bright, self-motivated, and self-directed are seen as “masculine”, pushy or bossy, who lack the requisite amount of humility and deference.
So, it does become a game of compromises. Sometimes pretending to be something other than you are in order to garner acceptance. Reading this quote struck a chord within me … the truth of it in my own life resonates soundly.
May 11th, 2006 at 8:50 am
I hear ya, sis… But don’t let ‘em get to ya… As is said in the vernacular, “You go (geeky) grrrrl!”
May 11th, 2006 at 9:12 am
LOL! I’ll do my best …
September 13th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
Wow – just watched this tonight. What a wonderful movie. Thanks again for turning my head in its direction.
September 14th, 2006 at 10:45 pm
You betchum… anytime!