Gregory WILLIAMS {nARRATOR}
Greg is the son of a half black man and a white mother. His full name is "Gregory Howard Williams". Greg is a white boy who learns he is black, even though he looks completely white. He doesn't want to be "white" and it gives him problems all throughout his life in Muncie, Indiana. Greg desperately does not want to end up like his alcoholic father. He wants to become a successful lawyer some day. Later on, when he starts high school, he realizes he loves history and wants to become a history teacher instead. He also learns that he is really good at basketball and football, so he plays them both. He ends up becoming a lawyer and a college professor after he graduates college.
Greg is like this cat: white and black
"Mike" williams
Greg's younger brother (by one year). His real name is "Lehman Mark Alain Williams". Follows more in their father's footsteps; he really looks up to him. Mike is really naive and he is very gullible. It doesn't take much for his feelings to get hurt. When he gets older, he gets involved with older women and drugs. Mike ends up turning out like his father, which is ultimately what their father wanted anyways.
"Tony" williams
"James Anthony Williams" is the son of a black mother and white father. His skin is dark, but he passes as "Italian". Tony is very clever when it comes to making money and he is very charismatic. However, he is an alcoholic. Even when he is drunk, he still manages to get his way and get what he wants. He makes promises that he rarely keeps and he's a disappointment to Greg.
Miss dora
The Christian black lady who took Greg and Mike into her home to take care of them. She loves them as if they are her own children. They stay with her all through middle school and high school. Miss Dora is kind of like the mother that Greg and Mike needed since their mother ran away when they were less than ten years old. She takes care of them better than their biological family does.