Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving three years in prison for killing two thugs who tried to crack into/steal his truck. Through his brother, Danny Vineyard's narration, we know that before visiting prison, Derek was a skinhead and the pioneer of a violent white supremacist gang who committed acts of racial offense through the duration of L.A. along with his activities heavily influenced Danny. Reformed and fresh out of prison, Derek severs touch the gang and becomes determined to maintain Danny from moving down exactly the identical violent path since he did.