The Banker’s Red Suspenders

One morning on Broadway I saw a black man approach three young white men. The white men wore business suits; the black man was wrapped in a blanket. As he approached them he put out his hand. But before he could ask for anything, one of the young men thrust his palm out and shouted, “Spare a quarter, buddy?” His companions brayed with laughter.

The three of them seemed so delighted I thought they were about to burst into song. As they sauntered down the street, I watched th...