In the film, Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) a professor at Wiley College in Texas, puts together a debate team to prove that black students can be equal to white students in the American south.

1. Was the first movie since 1979 to be allowed to film on Harvard's campus.
2. On December 19, 2007, Denzel Washington announced a $1 million dollar donation to Wiley College so they could re-establish their debate team.

1. Melvin B. Tolson: "I am here to help you to find, take back, and keep your righteous mind."
2. Samantha: "The state is currently spending five times more for the education for a white child than it is fitting to educate a colored child. That means better textbooks for that child than for that child. I say that's a shame, but my opponent says today is not the day for whites and coloreds to go to the same college. To share the same campus. To walk into the same classroom. Well, would you kindly tell me when that day is gonna come? Is it going to come tomorrow? Is it going to come next week? In a hundred years? Never? No, the time for justice, the time for freedom, and the time for equality is always, is always right now!"