The Jacket

Phil’s parents are hard-working, loving people who carry their own racial biases. After Phil sees that he was wrong to accuse Daniel of stealing the jacket and recognizes his implicit biases, he runs home and asks his mother, “How come you never told me I was prejudiced?” (36). After her initial surprise, she listens to Phil recount his day, then tells him “But you’re not prejudiced, honey. Stop saying that” (38). She reassures Phil that he isn’t a bad, racist kid, but she misses the opportunity to validate and explain what he’s seeing and feeling. Phil tries to continue the conversation, but she ends it with “that tone of voice. It meant ‘end of discussion’” (42). Her own implicit biases are evident in her parenting as well. Phil calls her white friend “Mrs. Donato,” but she hasn’t taught him to show Lucy Taylor the same respect. Phil has called her “Lucy” his whole life.

Phil’s father is overt in his racial prejudices, and it’s clear that Phil’s mother is aware of his attitudes when she instructs Phil not to discuss his day with his father. Phil isn’t confused: “He didn’t ask ‘How come?’ again. He didn’t have to” (42). Sure enough, when the topic arises with his father, Phil identifies a “tone” in his father’s voice. When Phil pushes his father to explain, it’s clear his father takes issue with Black athletes taking spots from white athletes and garnering fame that he believes detracts from white athletes.

His parents provide context for how Phil may have formed some of his biases, but they also provide a contrast to and impetus for Phil’s growth. Unlike his parents, Phil is aware of the harmful results his biases have and is committed to changing them.

Phil’s parents also demonstrate the generational aspect of racism. Without the experience he had with Daniel, Phil may have emulated either his father’s or his mother’s attitudes throughout his life because they were an accepted part of his upbringing.

Daniel plays three main roles in the story. First, he jumpstarts Phil’s character arc. Daniel’s identity as a Black kid forces Phil to question his actions and biases, which allows Phil to grow in his understanding. Second, Daniel shows readers who hold the same biases as Phil that Black people, just as those of any race, are individuals who deserve to be known and understood on their own merits. Daniel enjoys the same food as Phil and plays video games just like other boys his age. He just happens to be Black, which means he is also subject to the implicit biases built into the society in which he lives. Third, Daniel shows the trouble with holding on to anger. When Phil comes to give Daniel back the jacket, Phil is awkward and makes missteps. While Phil was wrong to accuse Daniel of stealing the jacket, Daniel has difficulty allowing Phil to apologize. However, Daniel has the right to be angry, and it is not Daniel’s responsibility to educate Phil, undo Phil’s biases, or make Phil feel better about what he’s done. The fact that the relationship between the boys improves when apologies are said and accepted shows that the best results are achieved after honest, genuine conversations and changes in attitudes and behavior.