Atticus gives a speech to the courtroom in which he expresses his disapproval of society's attitudes towards black men. He indicates that the defendant, Tom Robinson, is not guilty and expresses his confidence in the justice system to be fair and unbiased.
Akeelah makes it all the way to the final round of the National Spelling Bee, but prior to it, she overhears a heated conversation between her rival, Dylan, and his father. She decides to lose on purpose so that Dylan will win the competition and the affection of his father. Dylan later states that he wants to win only when Akeelah is trying her best.