This drama examines the personal, political, and racial dilemmas facing a group of college freshmen as they begin their first semester at Columbus University. Malik is an African-American student attending on a track scholarship; academics are not his strong suit, and he goes in thinking that his athletic abilities will earn him a free ride through college. Fudge, a "professional student" who has been at Columbus for six years so far, becomes friendly with Malik and challenges his views about race and politics in America, while Professor Phipps, a black man who teaches political science, firmly tells Malik that he will not be graded on a different standard either because of his race or his ability to run quickly. With Deja, Malik finds a girlfriend, a tutor, and a training partner all rolled into one. Meanwhile, Kristen, a somewhat naive young woman from California, meets a boy named Billy after both have had too much to drink at a beer blast; Kristen soon becomes a victim of date rape and becomes involved with a campus feminist group to deal with the painful experience. While working with the women's group, Kristen gets to know Taryn, a strong but understanding woman who is also a lesbian, and she finds herself becoming attracted to her. And Remy is a confused young man from Idaho who feels lost in the multi-cultural atmosphere of Columbus. He is approached by Scott, a member of a group of racist skinheads, who believe that Remy is a perfect candidate to help carry out his group's violent goals.

Tupac Shakur was originally set to play the role of Malik but he was jailed shortly after getting the part and the role went instead to Omar Epps.

[after Malik referred to him as a "sell-out"]


Professor Phipps:
So, Mr. Williams thinks I am an Uncle Tom, hmmm? Well, well, well. What does that have to do with your ability to place a comma in its proper place or put a period at the end of a sentence, hmmm?

Continuity: The amount of blood on Deja's face and shirt changes from shot to shot.

Written by Ice Cube (as O'Shea Jackson) and Sir Jinx (Anthony Wheaton)
Produced by Sir Jinx
Performed by Ice Cube
Courtesy of Priority Records