Higher Learning

As Kristen Connor (Columbus University freshman) and Malik Williams (high-school track star on an athletic scholarship) navigate the campus party scene, they find themselves entwined in a complex web of social dynamics. The festive atmosphere at Fudge White's (senior and militant Afrocentric activist) dorm gathering is disrupted by Remy (quiet white man from Boise, Idaho and fellow freshman), who contacts campus authorities to quell the noise disturbance. Fudge takes umbrage with the police response, decrying the disproportionate targeting of black students while ignoring loud music emanating from their white peers.

Kristen's encounter with Taryn (openly lesbian junior) serves as a wake-up call, prompting Taryn to caution Kristen about venturing alone at night and inviting her to join a student organization. Meanwhile, Malik and Kristen both enroll in Professor Maurice Phipps' (conservative black man from the West Indies) political science class, where they grapple with the challenges of self-discovery and identity.

The narrative takes a jarring turn when Billy, a reckless frat boy, disregards Kristen's refusal to engage in unprotected sex, perpetrating a traumatic assault. Monet, Kristen's roommate, stumbles upon her distress and is subjected to Billy's vile racial slurs during a subsequent phone call. Fueled by indignation, she seeks solace with Fudge, who assembles a group of black students to confront Billy at a fraternity gathering. Although Billy apologizes to Monet for his offensive remarks, the gravity of Kristen's ordeal remains unacknowledged.

As Kristen begins to confide in Taryn about her ordeal, their bond deepens, and romantic feelings start to surface. However, Kristen also rekindles a connection with Wayne, a college student and Malik's friend she had been dating before meeting Taryn.

Remy's frustration simmers as Fudge's persistent disruptions to his studies escalate into mocking threats. This perceived injustice prompts Remy to relocate and secure a new roommate in David Isaacs (Jewish), exacerbating his feelings of isolation within the university community. Malik's good-natured teasing after winning a video game serves as the catalyst for Remy's descent into a group of white supremacists/neonazis led by Scott Moss, who reside nearby on campus. As Remy becomes increasingly enamored with their ideology, he ultimately joins their ranks.

As Malik's frustration boils over after a scathing critique from Professor Phipps, he's forced to confront his own shortcomings and the harsh realities of racial bias in academia. The professor's candid words strike a chord, prompting Malik to re-evaluate his approach to learning and take ownership of his growth. With the guidance of his girlfriend Deja, a talented track athlete with a passion for writing, Malik hones his skills and cultivates a sense of self-improvement.

Meanwhile, Remy's toxic hatred simmers beneath the surface, eventually erupting into a violent display of racism and aggression as he brandishes a gun at Malik and David. His vitriolic outbursts and bigoted slurs escalate to an alarming degree, culminating in his decision to drop out of the university. Encouraged by like-minded neo-Nazis, Remy orchestrates a devastating attack on a peace festival organized by Kristen and Monet, leaving Deja tragically caught in the crossfire.

In the aftermath of this senseless tragedy, Malik's anguish and grief drive him to confront his tormentor, only for campus police to intervene and brutalize him. As Remy takes his own life in a fit of despair, Malik is left grappling with the trauma of it all and questioning his future at Columbus University. Professor Phipps offers words of solace and trust, but Malik's resolve remains uncertain.

In a poignant epilogue, Malik engages in a heart-to-heart with Kristen near a converted Christopher Columbus statue, both reflecting on the devastating consequences of Remy's actions. While Kristen shoulders some of the blame for organizing the peace festival, Malik reassures her that she's not responsible and that the event was a necessary expression of unity and solidarity.

As the film draws to a close, Fudge, Taryn, and their fellow students prepare to graduate from Columbus University. The final shot features Professor Phipps walking beneath the American flag, with the thought-provoking message "Unlearn" emblazoned across it, serving as a powerful reminder of the need for ongoing self-reflection and growth.