This week’s column is a set of readers’ responses this 12 months.
“Dear Mr. Fountain, I’ve supposed to write down to you concerning your great column for a while now however by no means ‘did the deed.’ But your column entitled, ‘Freedom I Have Tasted…’ made such an impression on me that I’ve to let you know the way a lot it moved me, as have a lot of your previous essays.
“I do know that as a white lady in America I’d by no means have the ability to sense what life is like for black women and men within the nation we share however nonetheless reside so individually.
“But your column jogged my memory once more of the truth that it doesn’t matter what you accomplish, what you contribute to this nation, you continue to haven’t tasted the liberty that our founders supposedly assured to all.
“…Again, thanks for the typically very private glimpses into your loved ones and your life as a really particular member of our neighborhood.”
Dear devoted reader, thanks in your form considerate phrases.
Another writes: “Dear Mr. Fountain, first, let me let you know that I can rely on lower than one hand the variety of instances I’ve written to a columnist in my 68 years. (And disgrace on me; an excellent quantity have deserved accolades. But I confess to some laziness/procrastination on my half…)
“I’ve been following you for a very long time and have all the time been impressed and infrequently provoked, impressed, and angered by your columns. The anger isn’t towards you — it’s towards the sorrow and ridiculousness of racism.
“Your 10/20/19 column breaks my coronary heart. No fellow man deserves to reside with such experiences — such an unfair and merciless — extraordinarily merciless — historical past.
“I’m a white, senior-aged, Chicago-bred lady. Grew up blue-collar on the close to SW aspect. I simply need you to know that it pains me to know of your damage. …Keep preventing the battle.”
Dear reader, thanks. I’m decided to “run on,” as my grandmother used to say, and see what the tip’s gonna be.
A male reader writes in response to a column collection titled, “Love Letters To My Son”:
“Your articles are the reason why I buy the Sun-Times. They are uplifting, thought provoking and life enhancing. I truly learned some valuable approaches to supporting, as you duly put it, to ‘lift’ him not to ‘stunt’ him… Please keep up the magnificent work…”
Dear reader, I’m grateful for — and humbled by — your phrases. Thank you.
Another reader writes: “John I don’t all the time agree together with your politics however I cherished your article with the snippets of texts between you and your son.
“As a father of 4 sons, I really feel the duty you are attempting to convey to your son. If no one advised you, ‘you’re an excellent dad.’ Keep it up.”
Dear reader, for me there isn’t any extra necessary aim in life than to be an excellent father. Thank you.
Another writes: “Hi John, I simply needed to say I loved your articles about your letters to your son. They had been a breath of recent air amongst all of the unhealthy information and pathetic stuff within the paper.
“I can relate to every little thing you stated,” writes the reader, including that he has a 19-year-old daughter.
“…And due to you, I needed to step my textual content sport up somewhat and textual content her just a few love letters as nicely. So thanks for uplifting me to do this at the next degree. It’s extra necessary than folks understand.
“I hope you have got the identical impact on loads of different fathers as nicely. Keep it up.”
Dear readers, when you promise to maintain studying, I promise to maintain writing.
Happy Holidays to you all!
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.
Email John Fountain at Author@johnwfountain.com