John W. Fountain

Kanye and Kyrie Irving? African Americans have much bigger things to worry about

Weightier issues for Black folk like gunshots that will not cease. Like the ‘American Dream’ that for so many has been swallowed whole by the winds of violence.

By John W. Fountain

Columnists

Kanye West’s comments were hate speech, but others should be called on that, too

Hate speech must not be without consequence. Not when they’re Ye’s words of antisemitism. And not when the hate is spewed by Donald Trump.

By John W. Fountain

Assin Manso Slave River in Ghana, which was once a slave market.

Columnists

‘The Woman King’ could not overcome the truth of the Agojie’s brutality, depravity, inhumanity

I applaud any portrayal of Black female power. But misinformation and the glorification of an unquestionable evil that romanticizes the Agojie as superheroes is unforgivable.

By John W. Fountain

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., who chairs the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Columnists

Jan. 6 probe offers us a choice: Will we choose truth or one big, fat lie?

The scariest thing as the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection tries to shake out the truth is that so many would rather believe a lie.

By John W. Fountain

Rodney White-EL (left, wearing a red fez) stands amid other mourners, including the Rev. Michael Pfleger (right), and releases a dove in his slain 18-year-old son Khalil White-El’s honor and memory as a symbol that his son and their love live on.

Columnists

A son’s violent death, a father’s undying love: This is Rodney and Khalil White-EL’s story

A good father can be a son’s compass. Even if the elements that can steal a son’s life hover close by. And a son can be the light that inspires a father to be a better man.

By John W. Fountain

Columnists

A year after his death, those who love Jelani Day are still seeking answers

A mother’s heart remains broken over lingering questions about her son’s death, which she believes was due to foul play, after the Illinois State University graduate student’s body was found last year in the Illinois River.

By John W. Fountain

Khalil White EL, 18, who was shot to death four days after sharing his excitement about a new job during St. Sabina Church’s back-to-school block party.

Columnists

Balloons for Khalil, prayers for peace: Celebration’s joy followed by yet another killing

Khalil White EL, 18, was excited about getting a new job, telling others about that at St. Sabina Church’s back-to-school block party. Four days later, he was shot to death.

By John W. Fountain

John Fountain (with cap in hand on the right) as a little boy with his grandmother and other members of his West Side clan on a family outing (circa 1960’s).

Columnists

I’m filled with so many stories to tell

For the past 13 years, I have been faithful. Faithful to what I believe, faithful to telling stories typically MIA from American journalism — stories of Black life, love, hope, humanity, even tragedy.

By John W. Fountain

Columnists

A song shows that in the midst of what ‘they say,’ what matters most is what one believes

Christopher Crain, a singer and songwriter, wrote “They Say,” an uplifting symphonic ballad in which his soulful voice drips sweetly on the melody.

By John W. Fountain