WYANETTA JOHNSON
I’m writing this in response to the warm tribute by Deborah Bayliss on OPRF High School Black parents support group leader Wyanetta Johnson [News, Jan. 17].
Titled, “Mrs. Johnson’s extraordinary life,” with the subhead, “Advocate for equity, for students, Wyanetta Johnson changed OPRF,” this piece moved me to applaud the notice.
Like hundreds of locals, I knew and respected Wyanetta, who was “Grandma” to some and “Auntie” to others. She was kind, warm, supportive and empathic. When I was Wednesday Journal columnist covering culture and conflict, Wyanetta would call me, drop by my house on Oak Park Avenue, and even stop me in Jewel on Madison to give me a tip for a story. Most of the time I checked it out. If I was slow to do so, she politely followed up, explaining it was my “ethical responsibility” to do so. Once she insisted I come out in sub-zero temperature to cover an outdoor protest. Other times, she invited me and my twin sons (who graduated from OPRF in 2011) to show up for soul-food APPLE meetings at the high school “to listen and learn.” Me good boy. I always did what I’m told, especially when “Grandma” instructed.
On a personal note, when I explained to her that Yves Hughes Jr., Donna Watts and this reporter were hosting the First Annual Oak Park International Film Festival on Sept. 17, 2005, at the library’s Veterans Room, she brought catered food for the filmmakers reception the night before. Not only did she attend many of our fests during the nearly two decades, but she also recruited many young Oak Park and Austin teen filmmakers and even her own director-son for our free, non-juried festival. She was cool like that!
I could go on and on about her many contributions, but I’d rather read yours.
In the Deep South, where many African American families hail from, there’s always initial mourning when someone leaves us. Soon after, we celebrate the time that they were here.
Let’s toast “Grandma” Wyanetta Johnson. She was legendary!
Stan West
Former Oak Park resident
