Meridian Henry
Minister and civil rights activist who adopts and adapts Martin Luther King’s philosophy of non-violent protest. Until, that is, the hate crime that results in the death of his son. At this point, Meridian his forced not only to re-valuate his peaceful non-violent approach to civil rights protesting, but to question the philosophical validity of waiting for his white comrades to discharge their own complicity in white privilege.
Richard Henry
Meridian’s son who is murdered and viewed through the prism of flashbacks in his effort to become a musician in NYC. This ambition leads to a heroin addiction. Seen by whites as Black Threat and by blacks as a rejection of white supremacy.
Lyle Britten
The suspect in the murder of Richard Henry. Low-class and ignorant, he expresses pride both in being a racist and in having sex with black women. Claims to love his white wife and is driven to distraction by Richard' rejection of the social order.
Jo Britten
Lyle's wife who has more education, but just as much class. Knows her husband is not only a racist, but already a murderer of blacks even before Richard enters the picture. Stands by and defends her scumbag husband and lies about the period leading to Richard's murder.
Parnell James
Editor of the local paper. Raised among wealth and privilege which he has no desire to reject despite his protestations of equality among the races and liberal perspective in public. Friend to both Meridan and Lyle and asserts his desire to bring the killer of Richard to justice while also refusing to disclose evidence that casts great doubt and suspicion on Lyle's protestations of innocence.
