Phil is a 12-year-old student who lives in a homogenous, white neighborhood. He views himself as friendly and fair, but a confrontation over his brother's old jacket forces him to examine his own unexamined assumptions. He possesses a strong sense of curiosity and a willingness to ask uncomfortable questions about himself and his surroundings.

Daniel is a Black 12-year-old student who receives a jacket from his grandmother for his birthday. He lives with his family in a neighborhood two miles away from Phil. He reacts with justified anger when accused of theft, interpreting the accusation and the origin of the jacket as acts of pity or prejudice.

Phil's mother and father are hard-working people who raise their children in a predominantly white neighborhood. Phil's mother employs Lucy Taylor and gives her the old jacket, avoiding difficult conversations about race by dismissing Phil's concerns. Phil's father displays overt prejudice, particularly complaining about Black athletes taking opportunities from white players.

Lucy is a hardworking grandmother who helps clean the Morelli family's house every two weeks. She accepts a hand-me-down jacket from her employer and gives it to her grandson, Daniel, as a gift. She maintains a professional, careful demeanor around Phil's father to avoid triggering his prejudices, while maintaining a warmer dynamic with Phil.