The Songbook of Benny Lament

by Amy Harmon

“You know how change happens, Money?” Esther said, not even turning her head. But her eyes were fierce. “How does it happen, Esther?” He sighed. “You show people what it looks like. We’re showing people what it looks like for whites and coloreds to be together. Even if it’s just together on stage.”

“Do you think history repeats itself?” “Yeah. I do. Because people are people. Life is messy and hard. And change is slow.”

“None of us can help who we are. We are born into the world we are born into. The family. The skin. Nobody gets to choose those things. You can’t be mad at a man for who he is. Only what he is . . . and the choices he makes.”