A lot of people who bash Akeelah and the Bee also bash Ron Howard. I think Bags has a point though when he says the key difference is that people will go see the Howard flick but then dismiss Akeelah immediately. That seems to be the issue.

Who cares if people walk out of the theater and come here to say that Akeelah was heavy handed as long as they walked into the theater to support the predominantly black cast. Further defending the direction/writing seems pointless, especially because the film was written and directed by a white guy. It would make more sense to hype up Castlevania, which is going to be helmed by the director of Stomp the Yard.

Which in the end, is the point. Support Stomp the Yard and that director will get more opportunities, which he hopefully will then use to open up the doors for more black filmmakers. Bash it and don't see it and nothing good happens.