Michael Thompson is the son of Gus Thompson. He is studying liberal arts in Harvard, but flies in from Columbus to visit his parents. Gus and Maya move into the Obeck family's old house in Leland Heights, despite Michael's misgivings about them living in an all-white neighborhood. After the Thompsons start getting hate mail and racist phone calls, Michael tries to talk them into moving out. After one or more vandals smash up the Thompsons' living room, Gus and Maya are almost intimidated into leaving, but they and Michael realize that they need to stay and fight for their right to live wherever they want.